Richardson,  The  Architect 


AND 


The  Cincinnati 

Chamber  of  Commerce 

Building 


RICHARDSON'S 


LETTER    SEAL 


Southern  Regional 
i^ibrary  Facility 


'•^fmr. 


THE  CINCINNATI  ASTRONOMICAL  SOCIETY 


SULLIVAN   PRINTING  WORKS  CO. 
CINCINNATI 


Il.,>i,,i^l,,„    M, nihil  A-  I'o   I 


Richardson,  the  Architect 

and 

The  Cincinnati 

Chamber  of  Commerce 

Building 


Richardson's  Letter  Seal 


The  Cincinnati 

AsTRONdMICAL     SnCIF.l  V 
I()I4 


Illustrations 


Albany,   City  Hall 24 

Albany.   Senate  Chamber IS 

Ames  Memorial    Library 18,   20,  21 

Ames  Town  Hall,  Xortli  Haston,  Mass..   20 

Ames,   F.   L.  Gate  Lodge 23 

Ames.   I'".   L.  Wholesale  Store,   Boston..   25 
Allegheny  County  Court  House  and  Jail.   30 

Arches,  Details  of  Fourth  Street "4 

Arches,  Details  of  Vine  Street 112 

Astronomical  Observatory 114 

Bank   Rooms TS-TS-""^* 

Ban(|uet,  Fall  Festival  Directors 86 

Brattle  Street  Church  Tower 13 

■'Bridge  of  Sighs,"   Pittsburgh 30 

Brnokline,  Drafting  Room 39 

Brooklino,   Richardson's  Library 29 

Building  Committee,  B.  M.  C.         .  IDMO.S 

Business  Men's  Club  Quarters 111(1-1(1/ 

Cliaml>iT  of  Commerce   Building 36,  40 

Chamlier  of  Commerce.  Exchange  Hall.    6,'> 
Chimney  Piece,  North  Easton  Library..    18 

Cincinnati    College   S0-S2 

Corner    Stone   of   Chamlier 62 

Construction    Views    56.  57,  73 

Delegation  to  Louisville,  Ky 86 

Drafting-  Room,  Brookline 39 

Eagles,  Carved 41,   ,S),  I0'» 

Emblem  of  B.  M.  C 99 

Entrance  to  Chamber  of  Commerce....   61 

Entrance  to  Fifth  National  Bank 60 

Exchange  Hall,    1890 65 

Exchange  Hall,  Banquet 86 

Exchange   Hall  from  Gallery 67 

Exchange   Hall.    Record   Service 95 

Exchange    Hall,   Rostrum   66 

Fifth   National  Bank,  Interiors 78,  7'* 

Fourth  Street,  1833  and  Later.. 43.  45,  SO,  51 
Fourth  and  \'ine.  Corners,  Views.  .47-49.  85 

Gate  Lodge,  North  Easton,  Mass 23 

Glencairn  Restaurant 76 

Harvard  Law  School.  .Austin  Hall 26,  27 

Hercules,   Star    Cluster 123 

Historic  Views,  Fourth  and  Vine 43-51 

"In  Medieval  Garb"   Richardson 35 

Letter  Seal,  H.  H.  R 3 

Louisville  &  Nashville  R.  R.. 
General   Freight   Office 77 

Marshall  Field  Wholesale  Store.  Chicago  33 

Maxwell  Tribute 98 

Monogram    H.    H.   R 32 


Nebula,   Great  Spiral 116 

Xebula,  Network,   in    Cygnus 127 

Oak  Leaves  and  .-Xcorns,  Carving, 
Trinity 17 

Observatory  Design,  Garlier  iS:  Wood- 
ward   6,  114 

Ol^lcers  Long  in  Service  of  'Change. .  .94-96 

Puri.s.  Scliool  of  Imuc  .\rls 11 

I'hocni.x  Insurance  Olfice,  later. 

Smith  lV  Nixon  Hall 82 

I'ike's  Opera  House,   l''xterior 48,  50 

Pike's  Opera  House,  Interior 83 

"Pink  Milford"  Quarries.  Milford,  Mass.,  54 

Pittsburgh  Court  House  and  Jail 30 

Presidents  of  B.  M.  C 101-109 

Presidents  of  C.  of  C 68-72,   87-93 

Provident  Savings   Bank  &  Trust  Co...   75 

IJuarries,    Granite.    Mill'urd.    Mass 54 

Real    Estate    Managers 68-72 

Record  Service,  Exchange  Floor 95 

Reflector,  60-inch,  Mt.  Wilson,  Cal 119 

Richardson.  Henry    Hobson 2 

Richardson,  "In    Medieval    Garb" 35 

Richardson  with  Friends  at  Zoo 53 

Richardson's  Drafting  Room,  Brookline.  39 

Richardson's  Library,   Brookline 29 

Roof  Construction   73 

Roof  Dormer.     Fourth    Street 109 

Rostrum  of  'Change 66 

Senate  Chamber,   Albany,   State   Capitol,   18 

Sever  Recitation  Hall,  Harvard 22 

Smith   &  Nixon's  Hall,   Exterior 82 

Star  Cluster  in   Hercules 123 

Store,  Wholesale,  .\mes,  Boston 25 

Store,  Wholesale.  Marshall   Field. 

Chicago 33 

Superintendents  of  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce      94 

Tablet  in  New  Excliange  Hall 63 

Taylor,    William    Watts,    Portrait 110 

Telescope,  Photographic 11'' 

Town  Hall,  North  Easton,  Mass 20 

Trinity  Church.  Boston 14,  15 

Union    Central    Life   Insurance   Co. 

Building 8S 

Union  Savings   Bank  &  Trust  Co. 

Quarters 75 

U.  S.  Post  r)ffice  and  Customs  House...   45 

\'ine  Street  Arcade  of  Arches,  Details..  112 


ArehMecTuTB  S8 
Urbin  Planninc 
Library 


How  Richardson  Developed  His  Romanesque 
Style  of  Architecture. 

Hy  De  I.isi.e  Stewart.  Pages  9  35 


Richardson  and  the  Cincinnati  Chamber 
of  Commerce  Building. 

By  A.  O.  El/.nek.  36  39 

The  Building, 

Historical  Sketch  of  Its  Inception,  Its  Erection, 
Its  Dedication,  and  Its  Destruction. 

By  George  Stuart  Bradijury.  40-85 


Happenings  and  Activities  in  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  Building  1889-191  i.       8693 

By  Charles  B.  Murray. 


Officers  Long  in  the  Service  of  'Change. 

94-9S 

The  Business  Mens'  Club  Quarters, 

1903- 191 1.  99109 


The  Preservation  of  the  Granite  Arches 
and  W^alls  after  the  Fire.  no  113 


Thirty  Years  Progress  in  the  New  x'\stronomy, 

Plans  for  the  Observ  atory  and   Home  of  the 
Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society. 

Bv   DeI.isle  Stewart,   President.  1 14-128 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  NUMEROUS  PHOTOGRAPHS. 


1778942 


Dedicated  to  the 
Re-Erection  of  the  Richardson  Arches 


r 


t 


^ 


Design  of  Observatory,  by  Garber  &  Woodward,  Architects. 


Announcement:     The  jiurposes  of  this  Bnokict  arc 

To  Provide  fur  the  re-erection  oi  the  i;reat  Window  Arches  and  other  val- 
iiahle  parts  of  the  former  Chamber  of  Commerce  Building  the  crowning  speci- 
men of  Henry  Hobson  Richardson's  Romanesque  style  of  Architecture,  and 
for  so  many  years  the  pride  and  admiration  of  its  owners,  its  occupants  and 
all  residents  of  Cincinnati. 

To  Provide  also,  that  these  beautiful  Arches  shall  fcjrm  the  walls  of  such 

Astronomical  and  .Vstrophysical  Obser\atory  and  Home  of  the  Society  as  is 

now  required  to  carry  out  the  specific  jiurposes  of  its  organization  and  of  its 

Articles  of  Incorporation,  namely  : 

"Promoting  the  study  of  astronomy  and  the  allied  sciences;  the 
advancement  of  knowledge  in  related  lines  of  research;  the  estab- 
lishing and  maintaining  of  astronomical  and  astrophysical  instruments, 
equipments,  real  estate  and  buildings  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati  or  its 
vicinity;  and  for  the  purpose  of  securing  and  administering  trust 
funds  for  the  permanent  endowment  of  the  astronomical  and  astro- 
pliysical  researches  of  the  Society  and  its  members." 

To  Provide  further,  for  the  securing  the  complete  eqtiipment  of  powerful 
Photographic  Telescopes,  Spectroscopes,  and  all  modern  aids  to  scientific 
celestial  research,  for  this  Observatory. 

To  Provide  finally,  the  Permanent  Endowment  Fund,  the  income  from 
which  shall  supplement  the  General  Expense  Fund,  so  that  the  Society  may 
conduct  its  popular  astronomical  work  and  its  scientific  researches  upon  such 
ample,  solid  financial  basis,  as  the  leading  American  Observatories  possess, 
a  basis,  worthy  also  of  the  historic  astronomical  interest  of  o\er  seventy 
years  on  the  part  of  citizens  of  our  City,  and  in  keeping  with  the  new  life, 
wide-spread  interest  and  wonderful  progress  of  the  last  few  decades  in  the 
ennobling  study  of  the   Heavens. 

THE  CIXCIXXATI  ASTROXO^HCAL  SOCIETY. 

DeLisle  STEw^^RT,  President. 

Wm.  C.  Cooder,  Vice-President. 
Dr.  C.  T.  P.  Fexxel,  Trustee.  ^Iurr-W  M.  Shoemaker,  Secretary. 

Joseph  T.  Harrison,  Trustee.  Dr.  C.  T.  P.  Fenxel,  Treasurer. 

Dr.  R.  C.  Heilebower,  Trustee. 
RoiiERT  C.  Johnston,  Tmstee. 
Alfred  Kxight,  Trustee. 
Clair  H.  X'ortox,  Trustee. 


EXPRESSION  OF  APPRECIATION. 

To  the  Union  Central  Life  Insurance  Co.,  inircha.--crs  of  tlie  Chamber  of 
Commerce  site,  and  to  Henry  Harig  &  Co.,  contractor.s  for  the  removal  of  the 
walLs,  the  Astronomical  Society  is  indebted  for  the  gift  of  the  granite  arches 
and  valuable  wall  material,  for  its  careful  handling  from  the  walls,  and  for 
hauling  and  loading  the  same  on  the  flat-cars  at  the  Plum  Street  yards  at 
their  own  expense. 

To  the  President  of  the  Chamber,  ^Ir.  Walter  A.  IJraper,  to  the  Municipal 
Art  Society,  thru  its  late  lamented  President,  I\Ir.  William  Watts  Taylor, 
and  its  other  officers,  to  Air.  G.  H.  Gest,  Director  of  the  Art  Museum,  and 
especially  to  Alessrs.  Garber  &  ^^^oodward.  architects,  who  after  months  of 
eftort  and  repeated  conferences  with  these  other  officials  finally  secured  the 
preservation  of  this  choicest  specimen  of  architecture,  we  wish  here  to  express 
our  full  appreciation. 

To  the  Cincinnati  Frog  &  Switch  Co.,  who  have  allowed  the  Society  the 
free  use  of  a  large  storage  lot.  wc  have  been  and  still  remain  under  deep 
obligation. 

To  the  Donors,  more  than  four  hundred  in  number,  who  with  the  Muni- 
cipal Art  Society  met  the  total  cost  of  the  freight  and  handling  of  the  granite, 
and  have  joined  in  the  later  parts  of  our  plans,  we  also  express  our  indebted- 
ness. Without  their  timely  interest  and  assistance,  the  saving  of  the  Richard- 
son arches  would  have  been  out  of  the  question. 

To  Mr.  A.  O.  Elzner,  pupil  of  Richardson  and  Cincinnati  architect,  to 
Air.  Charles  B.  Alurray,  Superintendent,  and  Mr.  George  S.  Bradbury,  Chief 
Clerk  of  the  Chamber  for  so  many  years,  whose  life-long  association  with 
and  deep  affection  for  the  old  building  have  added  interest  and  historical 
value  to  important  sections  of  this  booklet,  the  Society  can  but  express  its 
great  obligations.  Air.  Robert  J.  H.  Archiable.  Doorkeeper  and  Custodian  of 
Exchange,  has  aided  us  effectively  in  the  search  for  photographs.  Former 
Presidents  and  many  members  have  furthered  our  plans  for  the  preservation 
and  later  restoration  of  the  arches  of  their  old  home. 

We  wish  to  thank  all  Officials  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Business 
Men's  Club  for  their  assistance  and  co-operation  in  the  preparation  of  this 
Booklet. 

Houghton  Alifflin  and  Company,  Boston,  \-ery  gladl}"  granted  permission 
to  reproduce  the  Portrait  of  the  Architect  and  other  illustrations,  from  Airs. 
A'an  Rensselaer's  "Richardson  and  His  ^^'orks,"  from  which  also  the  material 
for  the  biographical  sketch  is  largely  drawn.  "The  American  Architect"  of 
New  York  has  also  allowed  the  use  of  several  illustrations  of  his  buildings 
from  their  Alonographs  as  well  as  one  showing  the  Exchange  floor  in  1890. 
Our  thanks  are  due  to  both  of  these  Publishers. 

We  are  indebted  to  Air.  A.  O.  Kraemer,  Rombach  &  Greene,  and  Air. 
Wm.  R.  Biddle,  and  others,  for  many  photographs  of  historic  interest,  and 
to  Garber  &  Woodward,  architects,  for  designs  of  the  future  Observatory. 
Special  mention  should  be  made  of  the  Cincinnati  Process  Engraving  Co.  for 
their  extreme  care  in  preparing  the  half-tones,  of  The  Chatfield  &  Woods  Co., 
as  dealers  in  fine  papers,  and  of  The  Sullivan  Printing  \\'orks  Co.  for  valued 
assistance  in  publishing  this  Booklet. 

The  Cincinn.ati  Astronomical  Society. 


CINCINNATI     CHAMBER    OF    COMMERCE 


AND     MERCMANTS*      EXCHANGE 


Caal  Oehonct,  mg« 


Gut  m   Freed,  kdi 


■■4'u»LiCi"  otn. 


eOABO  OF  DiRECIOfiS 

GEOfiGE  F  DiETEfiLf,  pBt".        Roberta  Colieo.  i 
William  T.  JOHNSTON,  tacas. 

TkOmaiC.ROmIll    Aaminh   S^hoea 


JAMES  P.  0«(T.).i 
HENflr  M,  SROuSE.  icc'- 


IIAfnC  tXAAATMCMT 


LJICAHAH      A     a     NOI<> 

CIUCIN  N  ATI 


June    9,    1914. 


L.   If    MEBBlE.  hom. 

OVIC  4  INOUSIAIAL  OtAT. 
eL■:^nAno   FREUDENSTETN.  MOA 

rOAflON  DCrARAMtHT 
S      W     COFFMAN.    i.TitOA 

ruke-asiAO  AAEHT 
■  elE  address      COMMERCE" 


TO  WHOM  IT  MAY  COHCERN: 

The  Board  of  Dlreotorn  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Ohamber  of  Commerce  and  Uerchanta'  Exchange,  at  a 
meeting  held  on  June  2,  1914;  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 

WHEREAS,  In  former  years  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  caused 
the  Masterpiece  of  Richardson's  Romanesque  Architecture 
to  be  erected  as  its  Commercial  Home,  and  the  same  re- 
mained a  prominent  and  beautiful  adornment  of  our  City, 
the  pride  of  our  members  and  of  all  our  citizens,  until 
its  untimely  destruction;  and 

WHEREAS,  the  Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society  has  saved  the 
great  outer  arches  of  this  former  Chamber  of  Commerce  Build- 
ing, and  now  undertakes  to  re-erect  them,  virtually  un- 
changed, as  the  walls  of  a  building  for  scientific  purposes; 
therefore  be  it 

RESOLVED,  That  the  Board  of  Directors  hereby  expresses  its 
hearty  approval  of  a  plan,  which  involves  the  preservation, 
in  the  permanent  form  which  they  deserve,  of  the  most  strik- 
ing architectural  features  of  the  building. 


EXECUTIVE  SECRETARY. 


How  Richardson  Developed  His  Romanesque 
Style  of  Architecture. 


By  DeLisle  Stewart. 


When,  in  December,  1884,  after  years  of  waiting  and  careful  financial 
planning,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Cincinnati  was  ready  to  receive 
designs  for  its  new  commercial  home,  one  of  the  architects  who  was  asked 
to  submit  competitive  tlrawings  for  the  proposed  structure  was  H.  H.  Rich- 
ardson, of  Boston,  ^^'hen  all  the  designs  were  displayed  and  compared,  Rich- 
ardson's was  accejited.  It  is  proi)er,  in  beginning  the  acc(.)unt  and  history  of 
this  liuilding.  to  take  up  briefly  the  life  and  career  of  thi^  man,  to  whom  the 
Chamber,  through  its  Real  Estate  Committee,  entrusted  the  complete  planning 
of  its  permanent  home. 

<  )n  September  29,  1838.  a  son  was  born  to  Henry  Dickerson  Richardson 
and  Catherine  Caroline  Priestley  Richardson,  at  Priestley's  plantation,  St. 
James  Parish,  Louisiana.  This  was  Henry  Hobson  Richardson.  Pure  English 
blood  flowed  in  the  \eins  of  both  parents.  The  father,  coming  to  New  Orleans 
from  Port  Royal,  Bermuda,  at  the  age  of  ■sixteen,  entered  into  business  as  a 
cotton  merchant  with  the  firm  of  Hobson  and  Company  The  mother  was 
a  granddaughter  of  the  famous  Doctor  Joseph  Priestley,  the  discoverer  of 
oxygen,  who.  a  refugee  from  a  mob  in  Birmingham,  England,  fled,  after  the 
burning  of  his  house  and  laboratory,  to  France  in  1791,  and  later  settled  in 
Pennsylvania.  His  son,  \\'illiam  Priestley,  moving  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Louisiana  in  1801.  engaged  in  the  raising  of  sugar-cane  and  became  wealthy, 
worth  se\'eral  hundred  thousand  dollars:  \\  illiam's  daughter,  Catherine  Caro- 
line, born  at  the  Priestley  Plantation,  married  Henrv  Dickerson  Richardson, 
and  was  at  the  plantation  when  their  first  son.  Henry  Hobson,  our  future 
architect,  was  born,  in  1838. 

About  a  year  later,  in  1839,  Cincinnati  saw  the  organization  of  its  Chamber 
of  Commerce:  for  in  the  Cinciiniati  Dailv  GiLCcttc  of  October  14.  18,i9.  was 
printed  the  call,  signed  by  seventy-six  business  men  and  firms,  for  a  meeting 
of  the  merchants  to  be  held  in  the  hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Mercantile  Library 
Association  Tuesday  evening,  (.Jctoljer  l^th;  <'n  that  evening  and  at  an 
adjourned  meeting  on  the  following  Tuesday  exening.  C)ctober  22nd.  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Bciard  of  Trade  was  organized 

Boyhood  and  Education. 

The  Richardson  family  li\ecl  in  Xew  i  )rle;ins.  and  Itcnry's  boyhood  was 
spent  there ;  at  seven  }ears  he  attended  a  public  school  for  a  few  months,  but 
after  that  was  sent  to  the  private  school  nf  Mr.  George  Blackman.  where  liis 
systematic  education  was  carried  on  until  a  vear  after  his  father's  death  in 
1854. 

A  special  early  aptitude  for  drawing  led  his  father  to  phu-e  him  under  the 
best  drawing  master  in  the  city  :  his  exceptional  ability  in  m;ithematics  was 
a  delight  to  his  instructors  and  ]irophetic  of  the  future. 

9 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society 

We  nia\  picture  this  Louisiana  household,  of  recognized  \vorth.  honored 
in  the  coniniunil_\-  and  of  ample  means,  combininiij'  the  business  outlook  of  the 
cotton  merchant  of  New  Orleans,  with  a  close  touch  cm  the  affairs  of  great 
sugar  plantations  forty  miles  or  so  west  of  the  city,  where  suninu-r-tinu-  and 
winter  holidays  were  spent.  Four  chil  Iren,  I  lenr\-,  William,  a  younger 
brother,  and  two  sisters,  grew  up  in  tlii->  licune  of  culture  and  abundance. 
Henry  was  a  healthy,  happy  lad,  fond  of  outdoor  life,  excelling  in  the 
sports,  later  becoming  a  good  horseman  and  an  expert  at  the  foils;  he  loved 
music,  playing  the  f^ute,  enjoyed  the  society  of  ladies,  and  was  particularly 
neat  and  tasteful  in  his  dress. 

An  armv  life  was  in  prospect  at  first  and  a  cadetship  at  West  Point  sought, 
but  an  impediment  in  his  speech  rendered  him  unfit  for  military  service. 
Instead,  a  year  was  spent  at  the  I'niversity  of  I^ouisiana,  and  he  then  went 
to  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to  prepare  for  Harvard  under  a  private  tutor.  Altho 
ahead  in  mathematics  and  fluent  in  [•'rench,  he  was  back  in  the  classics,  which 
delaved  his  entrance;  he  matriculated  with  the  class  of  '59,  His  college  life 
was  not  unusual ;  he  did  good  average  work,  excelling  notably  in  mathematics. 
Fellow-students  recall  him  as  unusuallv  handsome,  of  genial,  .social  nature, 
fond  of  fine  ckithes,  making  friends  readily  and  loyal  to  tlu'ni,  energetic  and 

Architecture  wa-^  his  choice  as  a  profession;  when  he  so  decided  is  not 
known,  tho  he  inclined  toward  civil  engineering  on  leaving  his  .Southern 
home  for  college.  In  his  senior  year  he  was  pleased  to  learn  that  his  step- 
father had  decided  to  send  him  to  Europe  for  a  short  time  to  study  architec- 
ture :  right  after  commencement  he  set  sail  with  two  classinates  for  a  summer's 
travel  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  liy  early  fall  was  in  Paris  pre- 
paring for  entrance  to  the  Ecolc  des  Beaux  Arts. 

.  Studies  and  Life  in  Paris,  1859-65. 

Entrance  to  this  school  is  by  rigid  oral  examination  ;  candidatt-s  must 
be  presented  or  vouched  for  by  some  one  of  the  commissioned  artists  whose 
studios  or  ateliers  are  within  or  close  by  the  school.  Richardson  joined  the 
atelier  of  .M.  Andre  and  almost  immediately  tried  the  entrance  examinations; 
passing  in  some  subjects,  but  failing  in  the  stiff  ciuestions  of  descriptive 
geometry,  his  entrance  was  delayed  until  the  next  fall.  Steady  preparatory 
work  occupied  him  all  this  time;  of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty  candidates 
sixty  only  were  accepted,  and  he  was  eighteenth  in  rank  among  these.  The 
examinations  were  public,  entirely  in  French,  and  lasted  a  full  month. 

The  school  is  so  organized  that  all  the  students  attend  the  various  general 
lectures  covering  the  theoretical  subjects;  but  the  practical  work  is  done  at 
the  ateliers.  Subjects  are  announced  in  the  main  competition  room  of  the 
school,  but  are  studied  and  elaborated  in  the  \  arious  ateliers,  whose  members 
compete  among  themselves;  and  then  the  designs  from  all  the  ateliers  are 
shown  in  general  competition  in  the  exhibition  galleries  of  the  school.  So 
a  double  rivalry  is  excited — each  student  against  those  in  the  same  studio; 
each  studio  against  all  the  rest,  to  bring  prizes  and  honors  to  their  group,  to 
their  instructor  and  patron.  Self  is  here  forgotten  and  a  generous  helping 
hand  given  wherever  it  will  count  for  success.  Into  such  a  strenuous,  boister- 
ous, rough-and-tumble,  yet  cheerful  and  fraternal  life  Richardson  entered  in 
the  atelier  of  M.  Andre  ;  his  choice  of  architecture  as  a  profession  was  a  serious 


Richardson's   Romanesque   Architixture 


one,  and  he  devoted  himself  to  it  most  earnestly.  Money  coming  in  regular 
remittances  from  New  Orleans  allowed  him  to  live  with  ease  and  put  all  his 
etiforts  into  his  studies. 

Civil  War  ;  No  Remittances  ;  Self-Support. 

The  outbreak  of  the  Ci\il  \\  ar  in  .Vmerica  hrout'lit  about  a  complete  re- 
versal of  fortune  ;  remittances  became  irretrular,  then  ceased  entirely.  More 
modest  quarters  were  taken  and  every  sacrifice  made  to  continue  his  studies. 
A  brief  trij)  to  Boston  in  1861,  with  the  ]:>rotests  of  his  many  friends  against 
his  going  South,  and  no  architectural  work  in  sight  in  the  North,  caused  him 
to  return  to  Paris  early  in  1862 ;  encouraged,  also,  by  the  family  of  Miss  Hay- 
den,  to  whom  he  had  become  engaged  during  his  college  course,  he  was  re- 


Mi  iij'  ■ 


m 


E.  I..  D, 


lCon)li'';y  of  A.  Lincoln  Fechliehner.] 

School  of  Fine  Arts,  Paris.    Ecole  des  Beaux  Arts.    Founded  in  1648;   nationally 
recognized  in  1793.     Reorganized  under  present  name  in  1815. 

solved  to  continue  his  education  at  the  licole  des  Beaux  ,\rts  at  whatever  sac- 
rifice, to  support  himself  by  draughtsman's  work  in  architects'  ofifices,  yet 
retain  his  connection  with  M.  Andre's  atelier  and  its  ci>ntests  as  closely  as 
possible.  Thru  this  teacher  Richardson  secured  a  position  with  M.  Labrouste, 
one  of  the  chief  government  architects,  under  wb-om  he  designed  a  very  im- 
portant Hospital  for  Incurables,  with  acconunodations  for  2.000  patients,  at  a 
total  cost  of  $2.(X)0,000.  This  designing  was  his  day  work  at  l.abrouste's 
house,  and  as  best  he  ciiuld  he  studied  and  worked  evenings  with  his  fellows 
at  the  studio.  Two  or  three  times  a  week  he  sought  instruction  in  painting 
at  the  studio  of  M.  Leperre  to  complete  that  side  of  his  artistic  eilucation. 
That  he  met  all  expectations  in  this  outside  employment  is  certain,  as  he  took 
part  in  very  responsible  construction  work,  that  of  various  railroad  stations 
under  Hittorf,  as  well  as  the  designing  of  the  Legislati\'e  Hall,  residence  for 
the  Emperor  and  a  palace  for  the  Governor  of  Algiers.  By  this  stress  of 
doubled  effort,  by  this  practical  training,  was  laid  the  foundation  of  future 
success ;  a  maturity  of  mind,  an  enthusiasm  for  and  devotion  to  his  profession, 
grew  upon  him,  which  in  his  former  cnre-free  circumstances  were  unknown. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society 

The  siege  of  New  Orleans.  wIktc  liis  nidtlK-r  ami  >istcrs  wi-rc.  wcit^hecl 
very  heavily  upon  him,  tlm  he  was  powerless  to  aid  them  in  any  way  ;  his 
mother  in  her  letters  heggcd  him  to  stay  in  Paris  and  continue  his  studies. 

Three  years  and  a  half  of  this  intense  struggle  for  his  educatinn  and  to 
meet  his  expenses  brought  him  to  the  time  for  his  return  home,  in  (  fctolier. 
1865.  Instead  of  a  brief  six  or  eight  months  of  study  which  his  stepfather's 
letter  inentidiied  in  1839,  Richardson  spent  six  and  a  h.ilf  \ears  in  preparatii  in. 

"A  Chance"  in  America. 

The  Xiirih,  and  Xew  ^'cirk  rather  than  I'oston,  was  his  choice  as  a  start- 
ing point.  Here  he  sought  work;  his  tine  library  gathered  at  college  and  in 
the  early  Paris  days  had  already  been  sold,  and  he  was  without  money.  A 
brief  partnership  with  a  Piruoklyn  liuildcr  was  dissolved  after  a  few  weeks; 
with  his  few  books  he  occupied  a  small  back  parlor  in  a  private  home,  working 
on  such  designing  as  he  found  t"  dn.  .\'e\\  s  "\  lii^  mother's  death  came  at  this 
trying  time;  fellow  artists  befriended  him:  thru  it  all  he  was  conluleiit  of  his 
abilitv  to  succeed  when  the  chance  shniild  cniiie. 

A  classmate,  Mr.  Rumrill,  obtained  permission  f(ir  him  U<  --ubmit  designs, 
along  with  several  well-known  architects,  for  a  Unitarian  Church  tn  be  built 
at  Springtield,  Mass.  Much  iip])iisition  arose  in  the  btiilding  committee  mer 
entrusting  such  imiiortant  work  to  an  untried  man — one  v.'ith  no  independent 
practice,  no  special  training  in  church  designing,  and  no  American  practical 
knowledge  of  building.  Nevertheless  the  intrinsic  merits  of  his  plans  carried 
the  day;  he  himself  was  in  Springfield,  and  in  hi--  impatience  tn  learn  the  com- 
mittee's decision,  was  awaiting  it  in  an  outer  room.  When  it  was  told  him  he 
burst  into  tears  and  exclaimed,  "That  is  all  1  wanted — a  cluuicc." 

And  a  chance  was  all  he  needed.  Almost  immediately  he  was  commis- 
sioned to  build  the  Boston  and  .\lhany  Railroad  Station  at  Springfield  and 
shortly  after  the  Grace  Episcopal  Church,  West  Medford.  Mass  In  January, 
1867,  he  married  Miss  Hayden  and  the\-  resided  at  Clifton,  Staten  Island. 

While  at  work  on  these  fir>t  three  commissions  he  occupied  a  room  in  the 
offices  of  Mr.  Littell,  architect,  in  Trinity  Ihiilding,  on  Broadway  In  <  )ctol)er, 
1867,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Charles  Gambrill,  an  architect  of 
well-established  reputation,  with  ot¥ices  at  '>  llanover  Street  and  later  at  S7 
Broadway.  In  just  two  years  he  had  reached  sell-sujjport,  Ijeing  then  twenty- 
nine  vears  of  age.  His  partner  was  especially  helpful  in  business  experience 
and  practice,  yet  the  artistic  and  creative  talent  of  Richardson  was  not  ham- 
pered l,)y  this  association;  for  ele\en  years  the  lirm  name  of  (kimbrill  it  Rich- 
ardson was  employed. 

First  Traces  of  a  New  Style. 

"It  would  not  cost  me  a  l)it  of  trouble  to  Iniild  French  buildings  that 
would  reach  from  here  to  Philadel])hia,  but  that  is  not  what  I  want  to  do," 
was  his  frequent  remark  in  these  earliest  New  York  days.  Completely  familiar 
with  the  French  styles  tho  he  was.  his  bold  and  self-reliant  nature  chose  rather 
to  work  out  some  style  peculiarly  and  \itally  American.  Xot  all  at  once,  but 
step  by  step,  were  fotmd  the  forms  and  materials  for  his  use. 

Altho  we  may  pick  out  the  bold  use  of  rock-faced  granite  in  the  Boston 
and  Albany  Railroad  Station  at  Springfield  as  a  hint  of  that  feeling  for  "big- 
ness" so  characteristic  later ;  or  cite  the  novel  use  of  boulders  in  the  walls  of 
the  West  Medford  Episcopal  Church  as  a  proof  of  his  artistic  ability  ;  or  see 
in  the  Agawam   Bank  of  Siiringfield  a  foretelling  of  his   later  use  of  round 


Richardson's   ko.\iANKs(juE   Architecture 


arches:  or  in  the  Worcester  High  School,  with  its  many  colors  of  brick  and 
tile  and  slate,  a  reflection  of  Richardson's  love  of  color  and  decoration  ;  yet 
it  is  not  initil  we  come  to  his  Brattle  Scjuare  Church  tower  (now  First  Baptist 
Church),  Boston,  that  we  realize  the  direction  of  his  progress. 

Brattle  Street  Tower 

In  the  tower  of  this  church,  commissioned  in 
July,  1870,  we  find  Richardson's  first  approach  to 
Romanesque  work.  This  scjuare,  lofty  tower,  re- 
sembling an  Italian  canijianile  in  outline,  rests 
upon  fotir  piers,  supporting  four  great  round- 
arches;  with  slightly  accentuated  corners,  and 
broken  only  by  a  few  narrow  window  openings, 
the  tower  rises  well  beyond  the  gable  of  the 
church  to  very  large  belfry  windr)ws,  also  round- 
arched  ;  next  a  slightly  projecting  cornice,  then 
a  frieze  of  ^culjituied  figures  round  the  finir 
sides ;  a  line  of  small  arches,  seven  to  a  side ;  a 
little  space  of  solid  wall.  and.  over  all,  the  roof 
cornice,  sloping  roof  and  tall  finial.  The  orna- 
mental frieze,  after  models  by  Bartholdi  in  Paris, 
was  a  happv  idea  of  Richardson's,  and  was  carved 
bv  Italian  workmen  after  the  stones  were  in  place. 
The  joyotis  Wedding  service,  at  the  moment  of 
the  placing  of  the  ring,  shows  in  the  photograph. 
The  parents  bringing  their  infant  fur  Baptism. 
boys  and  girls  receiving  the  Coiiiinitiiion.  the 
peaceful  Death  of  the  aged  grandfather,  are 
shown  in  the  other  three  jianels.  Their 
material  is  a  light  colored  st(ine,  and  the 
angel's  trumpets  are  gilded.  The  r<>nf  is  of  red 
tiles.  The  tower  and  church  are  built  of  a  warm 
yellow-tinted  pudding-stone  which  is  streaked 
with  darker  iron-stains  that  relieve  monotony  and 
accent  the  trimmings  The  ^vhole  color  effect  is 
both  rich  and  animated. 

.\n  arcade  of  round  arches  fcirms  a  \-estibule 
adj<jining  the  ground  floor  of  the  tower :  the  large 
church  windows  are  round-arched,  ton,  making 
not  less  than  five  separate  uses  of  the  mund  arch 
in  the  one  building. 

Besides  its  importance  as  the  first  work 
showing  Richardson's  use  of  Romanesque  forms. 
this  tower  has  always  been  a  favorite  with  the 
people  of  Boston :  beautiful  and  impressive  of  it- 
self, a  charm  is  added  in  the  sculptured  frieze. 

In  the  Hamden  County  Court  House,  at  Springfield.  Mass..  several 
Romanesque  features  were  employed — the  loggia,  a  balcony,  the  cornice 
pierced  as  in  some  Tuscan  fortified  palace,  forked  battlements  .•uul.  with 
especially  good  effect,  a  strong  batter  or  slope  to  foundation  courses  in  the 
rear.  These  new  features  were  favorably  commented  upon,  and  as  a  whole  the 
Cotirt  Hottse  made  a  deep  imjiression. 

13 


Old  Brattle  Street  Church  Tower 

Now  First  Baptist  Ctiurcti.  Boston. 

Commonwealth  Ave..  Clarendon  St. 

Gained  in  competition  1870. 


CiNCixxATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

in  the  North  Church,  his  fourth  Springfield  ]iuilding,  begun  in  June,  1872, 
the  Romanesque  spirit  speaks  even  more  strongly  Severe  siniplicit\  was  pre- 
scribed from  the  funds  available,  so  that  elaborate  ornamentation  is  lacking. 
The  ri)und  arch  is  everywhere  used — in  main  windows,  roof  dormer,  tower 
openings,  doorways  and  long  upen  vestibule.  The  tower  changes  very  neatly 
from  square  to  octagonal  for  the  spire;  a  small  round  turret  attaches  itself 
to  the  one  free  corner  of  the  tower  and  ends  in  a  secondary  spire.  Red  l.ong- 
meadow  sandstone  gives  color  to  llic  cluu\-li  and  <i)ire  as  well. 

Trinity  Church.  Boston 

Tile  I'.rattle  Street  Church  Tower,  with  its  sculptured  frieze,  had  been  so 
admired  and  appreciated  by  the  Boston  public  that  when  Trinity  parish  con- 
cluded to  move  from  its  historic  Sumner  Street  site  to  Copley  Square,  Rich- 
ardson was  selected  as  one  of  the  architects  to  submit  designs  for  the  proposed 
new'  edifice.  A  number  of  the  most  distinguished  architects  of  the  country 
were  invited  tii  coin])cte. 


[tv,„;.'-.j.  of  lloushlo}-.  Mifilhi  b-  Co.] 

Trinity  Church  from  the  Southeast,  near  Copley  Square,  Boston.      The  Chapel.      Brattle  Street 
Designs  accepted  in  1872.     Completed  and  consecrated  February,  1877.  Church  Tower. 

Yellowish-gray    granite    ashler,    trinuned    with    red    Longmeadow    sandstone. 
Tower  roof  red-tiled.     Lower  roofs  gray  slate. 

The  unusual  size  and  costliness  of  the  new  Trinity,  the  conspicuous  site 
wdiich  had  been  chosen,  and  the  fame  of  its  pastor,  Rev.  Philliixs  Brooks,  all 
heightened  Richardson's  appreciation  of  this  opportunity;  his  designs,  pre- 
pared with  the  utmost  care,  embodied  to  a  very  great  extent  the  Roman- 
esque spirit,  and  used  wdth  particular  advantage  the  irregular  form  of  the 
building  lot.  Their  acceptance  in  July,  1872,  was  a  marked  professional  vic- 
tory for  a  young  man  with  but  five  years'  practice. 

The  triangular  lot,  bounded  by  three  streets,  called  for  a  dififerent  design 
than  the  usual  long  nave  and  dominant  entrance-front :  instead,  a  more  com- 
pact ground-plan,  a  pyramidal  mass,  a  tower  equally  conspicuous  from  all 
points  of  view,  were  plainly  to  be  desired.     The  southern  Romanesque  type 

14 


Richardson's   Romaxes()ui-;   Architecti're 


which  Richardson  had  been  gradually  making  his  own  as  we  have  seen,  sup- 
plied the  very  design  required ;  so  very  skillfully  were  the  different  needs  met 
that  Trinity  looks  as  if  the  situation  had  been  chosen  expressly  that  it  might 
show  up  to  the  best  advantage. 

In  the  cities  of  Auvergne,  in  Central  France,  during  the  Eleventh  century, 
the  central  tower  had  been  so  developed  in  size  as  to  become,  as  it  were,  the 
main  church,  presenting  the  general  outline  of  a  pyramid,  the  apse,  trancepts, 
nave  and  chapels  forming  the  base  to  the  obelisk  of  the  tower.  In  meeting  the 
recjuirement  of  a  tower  equally  prominent  from  three  sides  and  thus  central 
over  the  bod}-  of  the  church,  the  Au\ergnese  plan  was  adopted.  The  tower 
was  made  the  prominent  feature  and  the  other  parts  grouped  about  it  as  the 
central  mass. 


[Courlfsy  ot  Houghton,  Mi/ftni  o^  Co  I 


Interior  of  Trinity  Church,  looking  eastward.     Frescoes  and  all  wall  decorations 
by  John  LaFarge.     Woodwork  in  black  walnut. 

The  Back  Bay  district  is  filled  ground,  and  the  preparation  of  this  lot 
before  any  of  the  stone  foundation  could  be  laid, called  for  the  driving  of  piles 
thru  thirty  feet  of  gravel  fill  and  a  quantity  of  alluvium,  down  into  the  solid 
stratum  of  clay.  Forty-five  hundred  piles  were  driven  to  permanently  sup- 
port the  foundations.  Two  thousand  of  these  were  driven  into  the  space  nine- 
ty feet  square,  under  the  center  of  the  church,  reserved  for  the  tower  founda- 
tion piers.  Concrete  was  filled  in  between  the  tops  of  the  piles  to  a  depth  of 
two  feet,  preventing  any  lateral  motion.  On  stopping  the  drainage  pumps 
four  feet  of  tide  water  covered  the  piles,  so  the  timbers  ought  to  last  indefi- 
nitely. 

15 


CiMI.N.NAll     AsiKllNdMlCAI.    SoClETY 

111  t)ctuber,  1873,  the  contract  was  made  with  Norcross  Brothers,  Worces- 
ter. Mass..  for  the  masonry  and  cari)cnter  work,  and  steady  progress  was  made 
from  that  date  nnder  the  constant  testing  and  experimentation  of  Richardson. 
New  quarries  were  opened  to  get  a  granite  of  the  correct  color  and  free  from 
seams  in  even  the  largest  blocks.  P)y  the  close  of  1874  the  great  granite 
pyramids,  thirty-five  feet  square  .it  tlic  l:ase.  seven  feet  square  at  the  top,  and 
seventeen  feet  high,  for  the  foundations  of  the  four  corner  piers  of  the  central 
tower,  were  linished.  Four  high  derricks,  also  resting  on  these  bases,  were 
in  place  initil  the  last  stone  of  the  tower  was  lai<l  in  July.  1876.  The  roofs 
were  soon  put  on  and  the  interior  work  pushed  to  completion. 

An  incident  of  that  time,  recalled  just  lately  liy  Mr.  O.  W  .  X'orcross, 
illustrates  one  phase  of  the  architect's  n;iturc.  During  the  erection  one  of  the 
most  prominent  men  of  Boston,  who  was  ;i  member  of  the  building  committee, 
accused  Mr.  Richardson  of  changing  his  mind  during  the  progress  of  the 
building.  Richardson  replied:  "Certainly:  1  will  change  my  mind  every  five 
minutes  for  a  better  thing.     'i"h:il  is  wh;it  ynu  are  pa_\ing  me  for." 

Constantly  Improving  His  Designs. 

Richardson  kept  working  over  his  iik'a>  .iml  designs,  and  the  original 
drawings  would  hardly  be  recognized  in  the  ci  pnipK-lcd  building.  In  the 
centr;il  tower  ]ierhai»s  the  greatest  variations  are  found.  Its  first  design  had 
ne\er  really  pleased  him.  and  he  kept  studying  o\er  its  form  without  finding 
a  satisfactory  solution.  One  day  while  ill  in  bed  he  was  looking  over  some 
photographs  sent  him  by  his  friend  La  Farge,  for  ]X)Ssible  suggestions.  The 
instant  he  saw  the  tower  of  the  old  cathedral  at  Salamanca  he  exclaimed, 
"This  is  what  we  want."  That  gave  him  the  idea,  and  within  a  short  time  the 
final  designs  were  in  the  hands  of  the  contractors.  (  )iily  l)y  such  incessant, 
painstaking  revision  of  design,  and  by  tiie  rejection  and  rebuilding  of  unsatis- 
factory parts  until  they  came  up  to  his  ideals,  was  the  success  of  Trinity 
secured. 

The  compact  ground-plan,  altho  not  new  in  America,  had  been  untried 
in  so  large  a  church.  Trinity  showed  that  great  architectural  beauty  and  right 
ecclesiastic  effect  could  be  secured  by  its  use.  (piite  as  well  as  with  tlie  "long- 
drawn  aisle."  In  extreme  length,  west  to  east,  it  measures  one  hundred  and 
sixty  feet ;  across  the  trancepts  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet :  from  center  to 
center  t)f  the  four  great  piers  fifty-twii  feet.  It  has  seats  for  fifteen  hundred 
people.  From  the  ground  line  to  the  highest  stone  in  the  building  is  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet,  and  to  the  topmost  point  of  the  finial  is  two  hundred  and 
eleven  feet. 

A  Color  Church. 

To  the  impression  of  pleasing  nia^siveness  and  grandeur  in  jjroportions 
is  added  the  element  of  contrasting  colors.  Yellowish-gray  Dedham  granite 
laid  up  in  rock-faced  ashler  contrasts  w-ell  with  the  reddish-brown  Long- 
meadow  freestone  for  trimmings  and  cut-stone  work.  Surface  decorations  of 
alternating  squares  and  other  geometric  figures  in  dark  and  light  stone,  like 
the  mosaic  work  of  earlier  centuries,  enliven  some  parts  of  the  w^alls.  The 
gray  slate  of  the  lower  roofs  is  relieved  by  red  terra-cotta  trimmings,  and  the 
tower  roof  is  covered  with  semi-glazed  red  Akron  tiles.  All  these  colors  har- 
monize and  give  brightness  and  life  to  the  exterior.  The  panel  of  oak  leaves 
and  acorns,  near  the  western  entrance,  gives  an  idea  of  the  naturalness  of  the 

i6 


Richakuson's   Romanesque   Akchitectire 

stone-carvers'  work  in  enriching  the  exterior.  Kvans  &  Tombs,  Boston,  were 
much  encouraged  and  brought  out  as  modelers  and  carvers  in  wood  and  stone 
by  Richardson. 

Several  panels  of  fish  and  flowers,  painted  by  John  La  Farge,  were  ex- 
hibited in  1865.  and  so  admired  by  Richardson  that  he  exacted  from  the  artist 
a  promise  to  do  decorative  work  for  him  in  the  first  important  building  at 
his  disposal.  In  1876  La  Farge  was  called  on  to  redeem  his  promise  and 
undertook  not  only  to  design  the  interior  decorations  and  supervise  the  work, 
but  made  himself  responsible  for  all  exjienditures.  purchasing  the  colors  and 
emplo}"ing  all  assistants.  Shortness  of  time  and  lack  of  funds  allowed  only 
the  tower  and  side-walls  to  be  adorned  with  figures,  while  the  vaulted  ceilings 
and  other  parts  were  plain  tinted.  With  the  large  unbroken  wall  spaces  at 
his  disposal,  with  complete  freedom  from  classical  restraints,  with  true  artis- 
tic enthusiasm  and  great  self-devotion,  it  is  not  strange  that  the  frescoes  pro- 
duced a  decided  impression  with  the  public  and  were  thought  to  be  unsur- 
passed in  this  country  at  that  date.  The  prevailing  color  of  the  interior  walls 
was  red.  while  the  four  great  piers  were  a  dark  bronze-green,  with  gilded 
capitals  and  bases.  Oriental  decorations  of  many  colors  in  geometric  designs 
fill  ceiling  spaces  and  form  borders  about  the  windows  and  the  numerous 
arches.  Inside  as  well  as  outside  Trinity  deserves  the  name  given  it  by  its 
architect — "A  Color  Church." 

The  completed  Trinity  expresses  clearly  and  properly  its  religious  pur- 
pose, with  an  aspect  of  dignity  and  sturdy  masculine  strength.  The  whole 
structure  shows  a  vital  unity  and  balance  in  emphasis — the  tower  does  not 
crush  out  the  lower  roofs  but  dignifies  them.  To  the  beauty  of  its  form  is 
added  the  pronounced  yet  harmonious  eftect  of  contrasting  colors.  From  each 
direction  the  eye  sees  a  different  picture,  a  varied  setting  for  the  one  central 
tower :  there  is  no  monotony  in  the  rough-hewn  surfaces,  every  hour  their 
lights  and  shadows  differ ;  a  closer  look  shows  details  of  moderate  ornamenta- 
tion, elegant  and  appropriate.  However  or  whenever  one  might  come  upon 
such  a  building,  it  would  impress  and  please  him. 

On  his  return  from  Paris  his  brother  had  said  he  would  give  him  five 
years  to  stand  at  the  head  of  his  profession.  In  about  that  lime  he  had  gained 
the  commission  to  build  Trinity  Church  in  competition  with  the  leading  archi- 
tects of  the  country.    So  his  brother's  exi)ectation  was  almost  literally  fulfilled. 

His  own  architectural  ideas  became  more  definite  as  the  walls  of  Tr.nity 
rose.  His  time  of  experiments  is  passed,  he  has  found  the  forms  his  eager 
brain  can  fashion  and  the  implements  his  energetic  hands  can  mold  into  the 
desired  shapes.  Xow  with  this  completed  example  of  a  new  type  of  archi- 
tecture to  his  credit,  he  stands  in  advance  of  his  profession.  Trinity  being 
finished,  he  is  a  leader. 

Richardson  moved  his  home  from  Staten  Island  in  1874  to  Brookline,  a 
suburb  of  Boston,  so  that  he  could  give  his  constant  attention  to  this  work. 
His  home  became  his  office  also,  when  in  1877.  the  partnership  with  Mr.  Gam- 
brill  after  becoming  less  strict,  ceased. 

Oak  leaves  and 
acorns. 

Exterior 
stone  can-ings. 


i8 


RlCHAKnSON's     I\()MANI:SQIFIC    Architkcture 

Advisory  Architect,  Albany  State  Capitol. 

In  1876  Richardson  received  aj)pi)intment  (in  an  Advisory  Board  of  Archi- 
tects to  consider  and  report  ujion  the  completion  of  the  New  York  State 
Capitol  at  Albany.  Begun  in  18()8,  it  was  less  than  half  finished  in  1875.  and 
its  completion  was  impossible  under  its  first  architect  or  on  tlie  ori_L(iiial  plans 
which  were  in  a  Roman  Renaissance  style. 

This  Board  consisting;  of  h'idlitz,  Olmsted  and  Richardson  advised  its 
completion  in  the  Romanesque  style  and  later  prepared  detailed  plan>  to  that 
effect.  Altho  a  return  was  ordered  later  by  the  Legislature,  to  a  modified 
Renaissance  style,  some  interior  parts  wholly  after  Richardson's  designs 
deserve  mention. 

The  Senate  Chamber  as  originally  planned  was  one  hundred  feet  long 
by  sixty  feet  broad,  with  a  height  of  fifty  feet.  By  treating  the  ends  as  lobbies, 
divided  ofl:'  liy  massi\"e  arcatles,  and  placing  the  visitors'  galleries  above  them, 
he  reduced  the  size  to  one  more  suitable  for  the  thirty-two  senators.  These 
changes  added  greatly  to  the  beauty  as  well  as  to  the  convenience  of  the 
Cliamlier.  The  colijr  eftects  and  rich  furnishings  comljined  with  the  archi- 
tectural scheme  make  it  one  of  the  most  individual  rooms  of  modern  times. 
The  columns  are  of  dark  red-brown  granite,  the  capitals  of  whitish  marble 
and  the  arches  of  Sienna  marble,  (iray  marble  forms  the  rails  and  Sienna 
marljle  the  balusters  in  the  slightly  projecting  balconies  between  the  columns. 
Panels  of  Mexican  onyx  frameil  in  bands  of  yellow  Sienna  marble  cover  the 
walls  on  a  line  e\en  with  the  balconies.  The  carved  oak  ceiling-beams  have  a 
depth  of  four  feet.  The  use  of  Romanesc(ue  arches  for  this  interior  decoration 
is  noteworthy.  It  drew  the  attention  of  art  circles  in  England  at  the  time  and 
caused  favorable  comment.  It  was  finished  in  ISSl.  The  go\ernor's  room  and 
the  court  of  appeals  room  with  its  gre;it  marlde  fireplace,  are  Richardson's 
work  also.  The  design  uf  his  great  stairway  was  completed  later  but  he  did 
not  live  to  see  it  finished. 

The  W^inn  Memorial  Library  at  W'oburn,  Mass.,  gained  in  competition  in 
March,  1877,  was  the  first  of  se\eral  liljraries  for  small  towns.  An  art-mus- 
eum is  connected  with  and  partly  merged  into  the  larger  library,  but  is  under  a 
separate  octagonal  pointed  roof.  Two  contrasting  materials  alternate  in  the 
stones  of  the  arches,  and  in  the  checkered  or  "]Marquetry-work"  decorations. 
Car\-ed  stonework  and  roof  ornaments  are  abundant.  This  picturesque  exter- 
ior shows  plainl}-  a  further  study  of  ;\uvergnese  surface-decorations.  His 
later  libraries  were  more  cunipactlv  arranged  and  less  ornate. 

Ames  Memorial  Buildings. 

A  few  months  later  a  chance  came  to  design  a  smaller  library  at  North 
Easton,  Mass.  This  is  plainer  and  the  parts  group  together  I)etter.  An  enor- 
mous single  arch  Doorway  attracts  attention,  and  with  a  line  of  five  arches 
above  it,  makes  an  interesting  front.  Irregular  ashler  forms  the  lower  half 
of  the  wall  of  the  wing  and  is  laid  up  in  pleasing  \ariety  of  sizes  and  rough 
surfaces.  The  sloped  foundation  walls  add  strength  to  the  general  appearance. 
The  interior  woodwork  is  in  butternut  with  delicate  carving  and  turned  dec- 
oration. The  carved  Fireplace  in  the  reading  room  is  a  wonderful  piece  of 
work,  displaying  native  leaves  and  fiowers,  and  indicating  the  Memorial  pur- 
poses of  the  building. 

'9 


CixcrxNATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

Oakes  and  01i\cr  Ames  were  leadin.y:  sh(i\el  manufacturers  of  Nurtli 
Easton  and  Boston,  whcj  became  interested  in  1805  in  the  buildinjj;  of  tlie 
Union  Pacific  Railway  across  the  continent.  Oakes  Ames  as  a  National  Con- 
iijrcssman  from  1863  to  1873,  was  a  member  of  llu-  Cuinmittee  i  in  Railroads. 
In   1864  President  Lincoln  urged  Mr.  Ames  tn  put   ilirii   the  rcail.  and  after 


II 

(/)  g 

T3    O 

.2  o 


"  c 


n  0,  -o 


E 


^    .  c 

t3    O    O 


o  ■=  t 


1^  o 


weighing,'  the  matter  nearly  a  year  he  decided  ti  >  Imilil  it.  He  put  in  a  million 
of  his  own  money  and  pledged  all  tlie  remainder  ut  his  resources  for  that  jnir- 
pose.  His  friends  in  and  out  of  C<ingress  were  urged  to  join  him.  Oliver 
Ames  became  President  <if  the  Railroad  and  by  their  united  energy  and 
resources,  and  finally  bv  almost  the  sa'-rilice  nf  tlieir  business,  the  road  was 


RiciiAKD'-dN's    l\c)\iANi:s(.)rF,   Akciiitecturk 

pushed  to  completion.  'I'lic  rails  !,niin!^'  west  from  (  Hiialia  ami  coming  east 
from  San  Francisco  were  joined  at  1 'romc  mtory,  L'tah,  and  tlic  last  spike  was 
driven  May  10,  1869. 

The  Union  Pacil'ic  is  their  real  monnment,  yet  an  enormous  tjranite  Pyra- 
mid was  erected  in  their  honor,  at  Sherman,  Wyoming,  the  highest  ])oint  on 
the  line;  on  two  of  its  faces  are  medallions,  executed  hy  St.  Gaudens,  rejire- 
sent  Oakes  and  (  )li\er  Ames.  Richardson  designed  this  monument,  the 
Library  just  described,  and  a  Memorial  Town   Hall  as  well. 

The  Town  Hall,  commissioned  in  April,  1S79,  was  erected  Ijy  the  .\mes 
family  as  a  second  memorial  in  their  native  town  to  these  same  men.  The 
lower  story  is  of  light-colored  Icjcal  granite  trimmed  with  the  darker  Long- 
meadow  stone,  like  the  Library.  The  second  story  is  of  red  brick,  with  a  ])art 
of  the  north  end  of  wood.  The  arcade  of  five  large  arches  with  unu^u.-illy 
short  shafted  columns,  makes  an  im])osing  feature  along  the  front. 

The  stone  balcony  projecting  out  o\  er  the  end  of  the  arcade,  a  hav  or 
semi-tower  with  stone  roof,  and  round-arched  windows  make  the  south  end 
very  attractive.  Arches  outlined  in  Ijrick  over  some  second  story  windows 
here  take  the  place  of  I^ongmeadow  trimmings.  The  minor  car\ed  st<ine 
decorations  include  lea^■es,  flowers,  fruit,  birds  and  animal  faces,  and  modest 
geometric  flesigns. 


Massive  Arched 

Entrance, 

Ames  Memorial 

Library. 

Dark  Longmeadow 
Stone. 


[Courtesy  of 
Anii'rifdii  Arfhileci] 


The  unusual  character  of  the  lot  on  which  the  Town  I  lall  antl  Lilir;irv 
are  built,  \ery  une\'en  and  with  numerous  granite  ledges,  brought  al)Out 
an  interesting  piece  of  landscape  gardening.  By  the  aid  of  Mr.  F.  L.  Olmsted, 
these  natural  difficulties  were  transformed  into  added  attractions.  Retaining 
walls,  flights  of  steps  and  sidewalks  are  kept  subordinate,  and  thus  help  dis- 
play rather  than  conceal  the  granite  ledges.  Richardson  did  not  overlook  this 
chance  to  give  a  novel  setting  to  his  building.    1  lis  success  in  this  is  undoubted. 

Octagonal  Tower ;    Signs  of  Zodiac  in  Frieze. 

The  northeast  corner  of  the  Town  Hall  is  its  best ;  the  octagonal  tower 
starting  from  a  rough  ledge  of  rock  with  battered  foundation,  rises  thru  both 
stories  and  is  crowned  with  a  ]>ointed  roof  of  stone.  The  nearly  unbroken 
wall  of  the  first  story  buttresses  the  arcade  of  arches  and  supplies  space 
within  for  the  ascending  stairway.  Above,  each  exposed  tower  face  has  a  very 
tall,  narrow  window  with  its  u])[ier  section  round-.arched. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Socii-ty 

The  Signs  of  the  Zodiac  form  the  panels  of  the  Frieze,  arranged  by  Calen- 
dar months.  The  flowing  Urn  of  Aquarins,  the  Waterman,  its  wavy  sym- 
bol ^  ,  and  Jaii'y  make  the  panel  close  in  l)y  the  roof,  'i'lie  li\ely  open- 
mouthed  I'ish  of  Pisces,  its  symbol  X  ,  and  Feb.  are  next,  and  join  with 
the  Head  of  Aries  the  Ram  T  ,  and  March,  in  ornamenting  the  southeast  face. 
The  angry  Head  of  Taurus,  the  Bull,  H  .  for  .If'ril.  and  the  chubby  Boy-faces 
of  the  Twins  Castor  and  Pollux  of  Ccmiiii.  n  ,  and  May,  follow  on  the  east 
side.  So  from  left  around  to  right,  thru  the  circle  of  the  Signs,  55  ,  Si  , 
"i;  ,  ^  _  ti\,  ,  /  ,  we  come  to  the  Sea-goat,  Capricornus,  ^J  ,  for  Dec. 
Here  the  frieze  reaches  the  sloping  roof  again.  l'ni(|ue  decorations; 
vet  apjiropriate  as  typifying  the  imjjortance  of  the  calendar  months  in  civic 
affairs.  They  may  also  express  someone's  personal  interest  in  traditional 
astronom^■. 


ICilir/.-ty  nf  Ilnuvh>.<,u.  M-f'Iiit  i-  Co) 

Sever  Recitation  Hall,  Harvard  College.  Commissioned  1878.  Deep  red  brick 
with  lighter  Longmeadow  stone  trimmings.  Dignified  massive  building. 
No  strong  Romanesque  features. 

From  the  street  below,  this  tower  forms  a  beautiful  picture,  with  fore- 
ground of  rough  ashler  retaining-wall,  stray  boulders  and  weatherworn 
ledges.  With  its  setting  of  arches  to  left  and  arched  windows  to  right  and 
in  contrast  with  the  darker  brick  of  the  building,  it  stands  out  an  architectural 
gem.    Only  one  with  true  artistic  spirit  could  compose  such  a  picture. 

Sever  Recitation  Hall,  Harvard. 

In  1878  l^^ichardson  designed  Sever  Hall,  a  classroom  and  recitation  build- 
ing, located  in  the  college  yard  along  with  many  older  rectangular  structures 
of  red  brick  and  some  showy  semi-Gothic  later  ones.  Unable  without  discord 
to  introduce  strong  Romanesque  features,  he  contented  himself  with  very  few 
moderate  uses  of  them. 

The  material  is  red  brick  tending  to  crimson,  with  minor  trimmings  of 
lighter  Longmeadow  stone.  The  brick  is  laid  up  six  courses  of  "stretchers" 
to  one  of  "headers,"  .giving  life  and  variety  to  even  plain  stretches  of  wall. 


Richardson's   RoMANES(,>iiE   Ar(  hitectuhk 


The  roof  is  of  red  tiles  and  the  few  ornaments  are  carved  in  brick  of  a  slightly 
different  hue.  The  doorway  with  its  round-arch  is  only  moderately  empha- 
sized by  the  roll-mouldings  of  brick.  Two  half-towers,  midway  from  center 
doorway  to  either  end,  relieve  the  rectangular  look.  The  windows  are  all 
square  topped  and  so  grouped  as  to  avoid  monotony.  It  is  a  well-])lanned, 
compact,  useful  building,  not  monumental  in  idea  or  ornate.  Its  size  and 
harmonious  colors  give  a  strong  impression. 

Richardson  was  particularly  pleased  that  his  Alma  Mater  selected  him 
for  this  work.  For  college  ties  and  friendships  seemed  intensified  with  him 
thru  long  absence  and  struggle,  and  he  often  spoke  of  how  college  life  had 
widened  his  possibilities  and  enriched  him  with  friends. 


Rustic  Gate  Lodge,  for  Mr.  Frederick  L.  Ames,  at  country-seat,  North  Easton,  Mass. 
Fantastic  field  boulders  form  the  walls.       Cut  stones  of  many  colors  make  up  the  great  arches. 

Gate  Lodge  at  North  Easton. 
Popular  attention  was  attracted  toward  a  curious  rustic  Gate  Lodge  at 
the  country  seat  of  JMr.  Frederick  L.  Ames,  more  than  to  some  other  of  Rich- 
ardson's works.  One  New  York  architect  said  he  "would  rather  have  had  the 
credit  for  having  built  this  Gate  Lodge  than  any  other  building  in  this  coun- 
try." Still  another  comment  on  it  was,  "Fantasy  of  a  Titan."  Of  all  the 
boulders  that  could  be  gathered  together,  there  were  none  too  big.  too  rough, 
or  too  abnormal  to  claim  a  place  in  its  walls.  Porches,  alcoves,  balconies  are 
alike  odd  and  irregular.  Ashler  about  the  windows  and  doors  is  made  as 
inconspicuous  as  possible.  A  refinement  is  given  to  the  whole  building  by  the 
enormous  arches  that  span  the  roadway.  Cut  stones  of  many  colors,  all  of 
local  origin,  make  up  their  graceful  curxes.  Within  are  rooms  of  the  lodge 
proper,  a  suite  of  bachelor  apartments  and  storage  rooms  for  plants  in  winter. 
The  owner  was  widely  known  for  his  interest  in  horticulture,  outside  of  his 
manufacturing  business. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Sociktv 

City  Hall  at  Albany. 

What  an  a])t  expression  of  ci\ic  aullinrii)  ihe  great  tower  of  this  City 
Hall  is!  J  low  stron<j  in  outline,  how  diLjiiiticd  in  hearinj^,  how  simjjle  and 
plain,  yet  how  beautiful  ! 

1  he  commission  to  builil  this  was  gained  in  conipetiliun  in  .\o\enil)er, 
1880.  The  site  was  a  favorable  one,  with  a  slope  toward  the  rear  of  the  lot. 
The  triple  arched  entrance,  with  arched  balcony  alcove,  centers  the  ornamenta- 
tion in  the  front.  Tlic  front  roof  dormer  shows  the  checkered  and  geometric 
designs  so  characteristic  of  .\uvergnese  surfaces.    The  same  contrast  of  light 


i(   llUrlCSy   "I    Iln!t:JUn}t, 


City  Hall  at  Albany.     Commissioned  1880.     Strong,  free  use  of  Romanesque 
features.     Striking  contrast  in  massing  of  light  and  dark  stone. 

and  dark  stone  is  brought  out  emphatically  in  the  tower,  whose  upper  one- 
third  is  of  dark  material.  Two  secondary  turrets  are  dark-roofed  also.  The 
lighter  mass  of  the  tower,  from  the  suggested  clock-faces  downward,  is  made 
a  very  useful  adjunct  r)f  the  building  as  a  storage  vault  for  documents  and 
records. 

A  covered  arched  bridge  leads  from  the  sei)aratc  jail  in  the  rear  directly 
to  the  rooms  of  the  court.     Foimdation  walls  show   the  characteristic  batter. 

The  interior  was  less  ornamented  than  Richardson  wished,  but  the  lack 
of  funds  enough  for  the  completion  made  this  necessary.  Throughout  there 
is  shown  a  strength  and  natural  freedom  in  the  use  of  Romanesque  features. 

24 


KlCllAKDSON's     KoMANKSOrK     AkCIIITEC  TURE 

Ames  Wholesale  Store,  Boston. 

Occuiix  int;-  a  broadly  rounded  ci;)rn(.'r  at  Bedford  and  Kint^ston  Streets, 
Boston,  Kicliardson  erected  a  wholesale  store  for  Air.  I'rederick  L.  Ames.  It 
was  a  costly  l)uilding.  matle  entirely  of  Lonqrieadow  stone,  and  so  unlike 
other  commercial  blocks  as  to  merit  attcntinn.  .Xbnut  one-fourth  of  the 
structure,  to  the  right,  does  not  show  in  tlie  ]ihotograi)h.  It  was  conmiissioned 
in  March,  1882. 


1  <  ^'/trlr^y  of  Hntisliton.  MirTlin  c-^  Co  \ 

Ames  Wholesale  Store 

Bedford  and  Kingston  Streets,  Boston.     Commissioned  March,  1882.     Longmeadow  stone. 

Costly  and  monumental.     Resembles  in  features  our  later  Chamber  of  Cotmnerce. 

The  lowest  arcade  has  tivc  large  arches  and  three  small  doorway  arches, 
and  extends  two  floors  in  heiglit.  'i'he  next  arcade  has  thirteen  arches  and 
also  covers  two  floors.  Aljove  tiiis  is  the  third  arcade  of  twenty-six  small 
arches  separated  by  single  and  grouped  columns.  Tiic  prominent  roof- 
dormers,  a  large  central  one  witli  three  leaser  cines  at  eacli  side,  shciw  striMigly 
against  the  sky-line.     Moder.ate  car\ings  enrich  the  capitals  and  arches. 

In  appearance  tlie  Jniilding  has  nmre  of  the  munumental  look  th;in  nt  the 
commercial.  Its  resemblance  tn  nur  later  Ciiamber  of  Commerce  may  be 
noticed. 

25 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Sociktv 


Austin  Hall,  Harvard  Law  School. 

A  second  time  Kicliardsdii  was  called  upon  by  ids  Alma  Mater  to  con- 
struct a  college  building,  .\ustin  Hall  was  a  memorial  to  Samuel  Austin, 
creeled  bv  his  brother  ivhvard  fur  the  i.;iw  School.  It  was  commissioned 
in  February,  1881. 

The  central  part  is  of  two  stories,  with  plain  roof.  This  has  a  frontage 
of  116  feet,  with  a  depth  of  48  feet.  A  rear  two-story  section,  80  by  55  feet, 
contains  the  large  lecture  room  below  and  large  reading-room  above.  One- 
story  wings  50  by  48  feet  are  added  at  each  end  of  the  central  section  for 
smaller  lecture  rooms.  These  make  tiie  extreme  length  of  the  building  216 
feet.    The  interior  needs  control  the  e.xterior  form  completely. 

Reversing  his  usual  plan,  Richardson  used  dark  Longmeadow  sandstone 
for  the  ashler  and  trimmed  it  with  a  pale-yellow  Ohio  stone.  Blue  stone  was 
also  introduced  into  the  mosaic  patterns  for  variety.     Sufficient   light  stone 


)/  Amerirtin  :\r< hitrct[ 


Detail  of  Stone-carving  of  Entrance  to  Harvard  Law  School. 
Capital  of  columns  to  left  of  central  arch. 

trimming  was  used  to  enli\en  the  otherwise  severe  outlines.  Large  carved 
panels  with  marquetry  work  make  particularly  striking  decorations  for  the 
end  walls  of  the  lecture  rooms,  the  Harvard  seal  with  significant  leaves  and 
flowers  lieing  cut  in  the  lighter-colored  stone. 

The  entrance  porch,  with  three  large  finely  carxed  arches  resting  on 
multiple  columns,  draws  instant  attention.  Chiseled  scrolls  in  great  variety, 
human  faces,  animal  forms  and  grotesque  figures  cover  capitals  atid  roll- 
mouldings  of  the  arches.  A  small  monogram,  H.  H.  R.,  interlocked  with  com- 
passes and  enscrolled  triangle,  is  placed  at  the  left  of  these  arches.  To  their 
right  the  half-round  tower  breaks  the  straight  line  of  the  front.  Small  arches 
give  a  Romanesque  touch  to  the  second-floor  windows  of  the  tower  and  facade. 

The  liberal  use  of  light-yellow  Ohio  stone  in  the  triminings  puts  a  con- 
trast and  life  into  .Vustin  Hall  which  is  not  fdund  in  Sever  Hall  nearby. 

26 


l\IIHAKIlS(l.\'s     l\0.\l  ANICS(,IUE     A  l<  (11  Ili-.CITK  K 

Pen-Picture  of  Richardson. 

Air.  Cass  Gillicrt.  arcliitcct,  was  a  student  at  the  Massacliusetts  Institute 
of  Technology  in  the  winter  of  1879,  and  tells  of  his  first  glimpse  of  the  man: 

"I  remember  one  day  descending  the  interminable  stairway  from  tlie  attic 
of  the  old  Rogers  Hall  and  about  half-way  down  encountering  a  man  of 
swarthy  complexion  and  huge  proportions  mounting  the  stairs.  1  remember 
an  impression  of  a  flaming  note  of  color  in  a  large  red  and  yellow  necktie  that 
looked  as  tho  it  were  trying  to  escajie  from  his  waistcoat  and  set  lire  to  the 
building.  He  was  a  man  of  such  extraordinary  appearance  that  my  attention 
was  arrested  at  once,  and  I  wondered  what  he  could  possibly  want  in  the 
building.  As  we  passed  he  stopped  me  and  with  a  singularly  charming  voice 
and  manner  asked  some  simple  question,  and  I  guided  him  to  Professor  Ware, 
who  occttpied  a  little  room  in  the  building  adjacent  to  the  library,  where  I 
learned  that  my  companion  was  the  then  already  famous  Henry  Hobson 
Richardson." 


K  ■'ttrlt-sy  of  Amt-ncatt  Architecll 

Entrance  to  Austin  Hall,  Harvard  Law  School.     Commissioned  1881.     Dark  Longmeadow  stone 
with  light  yellow  Ohio  stone  trimmings.     Blue  stone  also  used  in  the  mosaic  patterns. 


House-Office  and  Studio,  Brookline. 

The  simple  old-fashioned  dwelling,  w  ith  ,in  acre  or  more  of  well-shaded 
grotmd  about  it,  became  his  permanent  home  at  Brookline.  No  idea  of  a 
partnership  appealed  to  Richardson  after  the  New  York  offices  were  closed. 
First  one  untxsed  front  room  served  as  his  office ;  then  that  room  and  the 
library-room.  With  more  assistants  and  draftsmen,  a  separate  office  was  built 
out  beyond  the  library-room ;  additions  were  made  to  this  tending  back 
parallel  to  the  kitchen-wing  of  the  house,  like  a  series  of  mere  low  working- 
cells  or  "coops"  opening  out  into  a  long  passageway.  Finally  a  large  and 
sumptuous  library  was  added  at  the  far  end,  and  the  space  included  between 
house,  office  and  new  library  was  eventually  rncifed  in  and  lighted  from  above, 
thus  completing  the  establishment. 

27 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society 

At  the  very  first  home  and  nftUf  were  inseparable,  assistants  passinj^  lliru 
the  livinjj  rooms  wlieii  necessary.  Later  there  was  more  of  separation,  but 
the  ctmgcnial  "home-atmosplicrc"  remained.  Kven  when  his  offices  held  over 
a  score  of  helpers,  from  boyish  novice  to  tr.iined  artists,  he  was  on  the  most 
sympathetic  terms  with  them  all.  While  in  Paris  he  had  met  with  a  serious 
accident  which  still  caused  pain,  .-ind  dften  .ittacks  of  a  clironic  disease  kept 
him  at  Imnie  nv  actually  contiueil  tn  his  bed.  1  le  Ljradually  became  \ery  stout. 
and  his  weight  was  an  obstacle  tt)  l)odily  exertion.  These  were  added  reasons 
for  ha\iiisj  his  otlice  near  his  home. 

His  own  spirit  and  eiiert,fy  ])er\aded  the  whole  i^rnup  of  workers,  and 
each  interpreted  and  embodied  his  "chief's"  ideas,  so  that  the  oiUpiit  was 
clearly  Richardson's  own.  Not  like  an  ordinary  office,  it  was  more  like  those 
medieval  home-studios  of  sculptor-])ainters  where  master  and  pii])ils  worked 
together,  ^\'hen  designs  for  a  com])etitioii  were  nearly  due.  work  was  at  the 
highest  pitch,  and  men  stayed  late  or  even  ;ill  nigiit  to  jiiish  the  tasks  thru. 
\\'hen  a  coveted  prize  had  been  won,  his  look  of  trium])h  was  reflected  in 
e\ery  face  aliout  him. 

How  intensely  he  labored !  The  journeys  which  he  took  to  see  the 
progress  on  his  buildings  meant  nights  of  traxel  in  cars  and  days  of  dealings 
with  committees  and  clients,  and   in  acti\e  sui)erinlendence  of  construction. 

European  Journey  in  1882. 

To  be  away  from  the  multiplied  calls  of  l)usiness,  as  well  as  to  consult 
certain  London  specialists  about  his  health.  Richardson  took  the  one  long 
vacation  of  his  life  in  the  summer  of  1882.  W  ith  Rev.  Phillips  Brooks,  two 
other  friends  and  iMr.  Jaques,  a  young  man  from  his  own  office,  he  visited 
London,  Paris,  Southern  France  and  the  North  of  Italy.  Then  the  architect 
and  his  pup.il  only,  took  a  flying  trip  thru  Central  and  Northern  Spain  to  study 
many   Romanesciue  monuments  away  from  the  lieaten  track  of  tourists. 

London  ])hysicians  pronounced  his  heart  sound  and  his  disease  not  neces- 
sarily fatal.  This  allayed  his  fears,  and  the  doctors'  minute  and  careful  in- 
structions were  soon  disregarded.  Air.  Brooks  was  a  tremendous  traxeler, 
and  Richardson  would  not  be  outdone.  After  leaving  Paris  they  visited 
thirty-three  towns  in  thirty-two  days,  traveling  day  or  night  as  needed  to 
make  connections.  Stops  of  several  days  were  luade  at  Genoa,  Florence  and 
\'enice.  Litense  heat  forliade  a  visit  to  Rome.  Richardson's  strength  and 
endurance  seemed  incredible.  They  were  out  for  a  vacation  and  intended  to 
get  the  fullest  enjoyment  out  of  it.  The  remarkable  height  of  two  ol  his  com- 
])anions  and  his  own  rotundity  excited  at  times  a  little  loo  luuch  jjopular 
attention — and  they  told  of  one  day  wdien  the  street  urchins  asked  "if  the 
dwarfs  were  not  coming  too." 

The  knowledge  and  mastery  which  Richardson  had  heretofore  gained  of 
the  Romanesque  forms  and  features  had  come  from  the  study  of  books  and 
jjhotographs.  Now  in  these  Southern  climes  he  was  seeing  how  others  with 
dispositions  like  his  own  had  embodied  these  same  features,  lie  was  learning 
how  men  from  the  Kle\enth  Century  on  had  worked  out  ])roblems  that  he 
had  thought  of  as  new. 

28 


Richardson's   Romaxesquk  Architkctlre 

The  months  of  July,  August  and  September  were  packed  full  of  sight- 
seeing, study  of  all  kinds  of  early  and  later  architecture,  visits  to  artists,  curio- 
shops,  art  galleries,  and  renewing  of  acquaintances  at  Paris.  He  returned 
more  fully  convinced  than  ever  of  the  value  of  the  Romanesque  features  to 
American  architecture.  Also  he  was  convinced  of  the  freedom  and  greater 
opportunity-  enjoyed  by  his  profession  here  than  in  Europe.  His  health  was 
benefitted  and  a  real  rest  secured  from  the  varied  experiences  of  the  summer. 

An  incident  of  the  trip  shows  the  tactful  kindliness  of  his  nature:  In 
one  of  the  Italian  studios  they  saw  a  piece  of  statuary  which  Mr.  Brooks 
admired  very  much  and  yet  was  reluctant  to  purchase  on  account  of  its 
jirice.  Air.  Richardson  urged  him  to  oljtain  it,  and,  determining  to  do  so,  he 
revisited  the  studio,  only  to  find  that  an  American  had  purchased  it  the  day 
before.  His  disappointment  was  great.  Ijut  he  made  up  his  mind  to  forget  it. 
Upon  Mr.  Brook's  return  he  found  the  wished-for  statue  in  his  lilirary,  ]jre- 
sented  bv  his  friend.  Mr.  Richardson. 


Richardson's  Library  at  Brookline.  Commodious  and  sumptuous,  filled  with 
books,  photographs  and  beautiful  objects.  Great  table  in  center,  twelve- 
feet  square.     Huge  fireplace.     "Everything  big." 

Cathedral  Drawings,  Albany. 

While  on  his  vacation  in  Eurojie  he  had  agreed  to  compete  in  designs  for 
the  proposed  Episcopal  Cathedral  at  All)any.  Altho  ideas  and  materials  may 
have  been  gathered  in  his  summer's  travels,  it  was  nearly  December  Ijefore 
the  actual  drawings  were  begun.  The  whole  office  force  then  put  four  months' 
work  upon  the  nine  very  large  drawings  which  were  submitted.  There  was 
a  resemblance  to  Trinity  in  the  square  central  tower  and  general  massing  of 
the  parts,  with  the  many  additional  requirements  of  a  cathedral  fully  met. 
The  expense  of  carrying  out  these  plans  seems  to  have  largely  caused  their 
rejection. 

29 


J I 


\^'^^vm 


m 


F    *T3Mlis 


30 


Richardson's   Romanesque  Architecture 

The  story  is  told  of  Imw,  when  llicsc  drawings  were  being  completed,  he 
asked  his  chief  draftsman  what  material  he  was  proposing  to  use  for  the  roof 
of  the  central  tower.  His  draftsman  responded :  "Stone,  Mr.  Richardson ; 
that,  of  course,  is  the  finest  material."  Richardson  stood  a  long  time  gazing 
at  the  drawing,  and  doubtless  realized  that  upon  his  decision  rested  success  or 
failure  in  the  competition  ;  that  if  stone  were  used  it  would  probably  cause 
the  rejection  of  the  design  on  acciiunt  of  the  expense.  He  was,  however,  too 
true  an  artist  to  match  his  chances  of  winning  against  the  artistic  compromise 
that  he  would  have  to  make  in  order  to  win,  and  so,  after  a  few  minutes  of 
thoughtful  consideration,  leaning  lovingly  over  the  design,  he  raised  his  head 
and  said,  "\"ery  well,  Mr.  A.,  make  it  stone :"  and  as  Mr.  .\.  years  afterward 
told  Mr.  Cass  Gilbert,  who  quotes  the  incident,  he  had  no  doubt  that  Mr. 
Richardson  at  that  moment  realized  that  the  opportunity  to  carry  out  the 
greatest  design  of  his  career  had  lieen  relinquished  because  of  his  fiilelity  to 
the  artistic  considerations  involved. 

So  thoroughly  was  he  now  imbued  witli  the  \irtues  of  his  adopted  style, 
that  it  was  onlv  in  the  \erv  slight  pointing  of  the  main  arches  that  he  varied 
from  the  precedents  of  the  Romanesque  art  in  these  cathedral  drawings. 

The  Pittsburgh  Court  House  and  Jail. 

On  Sunday,  [Ma}-  7,  1882,  the  old  Court  House  at  Pittsburgli  was  nearly 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  County  Commissioners  at  once  planned  for  a  new^ 
Court  House.  In  April,  1883,  they  sent  letters  to  many  architects  with  the 
printed  report  on  the  required  liuilding.  In  Septemlier,  1883,  they  offered 
$2,500  to  each  of  five  architects  for  plans.  Richardson  was  selected  as  the 
fifth  architect  on  September  28th,  and  immediately  began  to  work  on  the 
designs  which  were  due  Januar}-  1,  1884.  Thirty  days  later,  on  January  31st. 
he  was  selected  as  the  architect  and  given  until  July  1  to  prepare  the  detailed 
plans  of  a  Court  House  and  separate  Jail,  to  cost  not  exceeding  $2,250,000. 

By  calling  back  former  pupils  to  aid  hi>  full  corps  of  assistants,  he  had 
thirty  men  in  all  working  on  the  detailed  plans.  That  no  time  might  be  lost 
he  arranged  to  have  their  meals  served  in  the  dining-room  adjoining,  and  with 
his  aids  worked  day  and  night  to  be  ready  for  the  letting  of  the  contracts. 
The  plans  were  in  Pittsburgh  and  submitted  on  July  1st.  The  sealed  bids  for 
construction  were  ready  by  August  I'lth,  and  on  September  11th,  Xorcross 
Brothers  were  awarded  the  contract  for  Court  House  and  Jail  of  pink  Milford 
granite. 

The  ground-plan  is  a  rectangle  209  feet  frontage  by  301  feet  in  depth,  with 
an  inner  court-yard,  70  by  145  feet,  having  corridors  giving  access  to  all  the 
rooms.  The  first  floor  contains  the  county  offices.  Eleven  court  rooms  and 
the  large  law-library  occupy  the  second  floor.  Minor  court  rooms  and  clerks' 
rooms  use  the  third  floor,  and  some  attic  s])acc.  A  requirement  of  all  the  light 
possible  for  the  offices  was  met  by  making  the  window  openings  large,  and 
receiving  light  from  the  court-yard  as  well.  Ledges  and  cornices  on  which 
soot  might  collect  were  expressly  undesirable,  so  that  the  exterior  is  strik- 
ingly plain. 


3' 


ClXClXNATI    AsTROXdMICAI.    SoCll-TY 

Pure  Romanesque  features  arc  used — entrance  arches,  secuml  ami  tliinl 
story  arched-windows,  roof  dormers,  and,  doniinatincf  all,  the  f^reat  square 
tower  risintj  far  above  the  sloi)inyf  roofs.  Fi\-c  Moors  of  this  tower  arc  fding- 
vaults  for  ])ulilic  docunu-nts.  reaolu-cl  hy  ek'\alors.  Altho  made  n--c  of  in  this 
way,  the  ornamental  and  artistic  \alue  of  this  tower  is  far  beyond  its  utili- 
tarian. It  apjiropriatel}-  ex])resses  the  authority  of  law  ,iud  ihe  place  of  jus- 
tice in  the  community.  It  ,s;i\'es  a  linish  to  the  whole  -iructnre.  When  the 
design  was  sulmiitted,  a  iiostile  critic  likened  the  tower  to  a  "grain  elexator" 
on  top  of  an  otherwise  beautiful  building,  and  said  it  would  destroy  the  archi- 
tectural effect.  How  untrue  this  criticism  ])ro\ed,  was  >lio\\n  in  ]io])ular 
ap])roval  of  it  and  in  its  being  co])ied  almost  unchanged,  in  three  other  places 
before  its  own  completion.  It  conxincingK-  shows  the  creati\e  character  of 
Kich.ardson's  talent.  It  seems  a  prophecy  and  forerunner  of  today's  sky- 
scr.-qiers  in  the  arrangement  of  its  surface  decorations.  It  rises  o\-er  2.50  feet 
in  height  abo\e  the  street. 

A  street  at  the  rear  of  the  Court  House  is  spanned  by  a  massise  arched 
bridge  leading  to  the  jail.  .More  se\'ere  in  treatment  w  illi  fewer  wall  o|)enings, 
the  Jail  is  strongly  Romanesepie — fortress- like  in   its  austerity. 

The  precarious  state  of  Richardson's  health  is  slmun  in  an  understanding 
with  the  County  Commissioners  that  in  case  of  his  death  the  completion  of  it 
would  be  put  into  the  hands  of  his  executors  and  not  of  strangers. 

The  Court  House  w.'is  the  largest  of  Richardson's  buildings,  massive  and 
imposing,  plain  and  sensible  in  all  its  arrangements.  Its  corner-stone  was  laid 
October  13,  1885,  forty-nine  \ears  after  the  corner-stone  of  the  preceeding 
Court  House  had  been  laid.  It  was  dedicated  September  24,  1888,  on  the 
Centeiuiial  of  the  founding  of  Alleghen\-  Connt\-. 

Marshall  Field  Building,  Chicago. 

This  wholesale  store  building  was  commissioned  in  April,  1885,  and  if 
com]i;ired  with  his  other  business  structures  shows  ])rogress  toward  sim- 
plicity in  design.  It  covers  an  area  .S25  feet  l)y  190  feet  and  has  a  height  of  125 
feet.  The  material  is  red  Missouri  granite  in  the  lower  parts  and  red  sand- 
stone above.  The  lower  arched  windows  einbrace  several  floors.  Double  the 
number  of  arches  make  the  second  line.  The  uiii)ermost  i:)i)enings  are  not 
arched  but  ha\e  twice  the  number  below  and  are  eft'ectively  grouped.  The 
roof  is  not  visible.  Decoration  is  sparing  vet  enough  to  reliex'e  bareness.  It 
is  a  massix'e  lousiness  block  and  shows  well  the  adaptabilitv  of  the  Romanesque 
arch  to  windijw  openings  of  such  buildings.    The  color  effect  is  very  Ijeautifnl. 


^^^m^^^^^^^Q^^^^M 


ifci;^r.'..:..'3i'5— •.•J..:rJJ,i,'i.;;i,rj;j^ 


Monogram  H.  H.  R.,  Harvard  Law  School.     fSee  pane  26] 
32 


Richardson's   Romanesque   Architi.cture 


^«^3iii 


11  n    II 


^M  M  Aa  21 31 2i  ?T  i^  9  ^  .^  -) 


[l  curtesy  of  Marshall  Field  c'  Co.] 

Marshall  Field  Wholesale  Store  Building,  Chicago.     Commissioned  April,  1885. 
Red  Missouri  granite  below,  rock-faced.     Cut  red  sandstone  above. 


Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce. 

In  June,  1885,  Mr.  Richardson  gained  by  competition  the  commission  to 
build  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce.  How  the  Architect  conceived 
the  plan  and  had  the  designs  worked  out  by  his  artists,  will  be  told  in  the 
next  few  pages  by  one  of  his  pupils,  Mr.  A.  O.  Elzner,  who  himself  aided  in 
preparing  the  sketches  at  Brookline.  Details  of  the  building  project  and  a  full 
description  of  the  Chamber  are  given  in  the  Historical  Sketch  by  Mr.  George 
S.  Bradbury,  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers  during  the  erection, 
as  well  as  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Chamber  during  the  entire  existence  of  the 
Building.  So  that  it  only  remains  here  to  speak  of  the  Cincinnati  building 
as  the  crown  of  Richardson's  Romanesque  work.  To  its  preparation  he 
brought  his  ripest  experience ;  in  purpose,  there  was  added  to  the  purely 
commercial  requirements,  the  artistic  and  monuinental  possibilities  which  Mr. 
Richardson  prized  so  highly.  In  his  treatment  he  made  central  the  great  and 
dignified  hall  where  the  merchants  should  assemble,  provided  upper  and  lower 
floors  for  revenue,  and  clothed  it  all  in  an  outer  garb  of  beautiful  arcades  of 
arches  and  massive  towers,  expressing  solidity,  repose,  symmetry,  dignity,  and 
a  moderate  adornment :  most  worthily  has  it  been  called  a  masterpiece  of 
architecttire. 


33 


CixciNNATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

In  tracing-  the  (IcxclnpuK'nl  nf  lii>  Ki  im:iiK-s(|iR-  style  in  these  puhlio 
Iniihlintjs,  the  most  important  ha\e  been  described  and  illustrated.  Several 
otlier  li!)raries.  a  dozen  or  more  railway  stations,  mostly  on  the  Boston  & 
Alban\  Raih-dad,  and  nxer  t\\ent_\-  residences  were  also  of  his  desiy-n.  but  a 
briel'  sketch  like  this  cannot  include  them  in  detail. 


Disease  at  Last  is  Victor. 

Richardson  had  a  line  ])hysi(|ue  and  \  er_\-  strcm^;'  cnnstitntinii  as  a  yimiii,' 
man.  h'^llnwing  his  return  fruin  I'aris  he  was  in  the  best  of  health  for  several 
\ear.v,  ii'ainin^-  graduall)'  in  weight.  As  a  chronic  disease  developed  later,  he 
was  kept  at  home  or  even  in  l^ed  at  times.  Finally  he  became  so  very  fleshy 
that  line  wondered  how  he  could  possibly  get  abmit  as  In-  did.  \\-[  his  most 
di>tincti\e  characteristic  was  his  immense  energy  and  \  italit_\  nnt  ahjnc 
ph_\^ical,  but  an  intense  mental  activity  as  well. 

flow  he  did  enjov  life!  11  i^  linine  was  a  nn  ist  hospitable  one.  I'Viend^ 
and  guests  were  constantly  at  his  table.  "This  is  the  way  1  rest"  he  used  to 
sav  when  his  table  was  filled  with  guests  and  con\-ersati(in  was  at  its  height. 
Mis  Monday  night  dinners  for  assistants  and  former  ])upils  kept  all  in  tnuch 
with  each  other.  He  was  a  frequent  \  isitMi-  in  iH.stnn  homes,  giving  great 
pleasure  and  fully  enjoying  these  friendships.  J-A  en  in  his  many  hurried  trips 
to  other  cities  he  planned  in  advance,  to  meet  old  friends. 

Yet  for  several  years  he  had  been  under  the  constant  care  of  physicians 
and  knew  that  his  days  might  be  short.  His  recovery  after  serious  attacks 
was  rapid  and  his  full  strength  returned  promptly.  In  the  autumn  of  1885, 
however,  gravest  fears  were  felt,  and  i  m  his  recovery,  journeys  and  social 
visits  were  forbidden.  In  March,  188f),  a  sever  attack  of  tonsilitis  came  on  and 
was  followed  by  a  renewal  of  his  chronic  troulile.  Early  in  .'\pril  he  went  to 
New  York  and  on  to  Washington  for  a  rest  "as  an  itualid"  but  became  so  ill 
that  he  returned  home.  I'nr  two  weeks  he  was  conlined  to  his  room  with  great 
pain  and  restlessness,  but  never  lost  his  spirits  or  hope,  and  kept  up  his  inter- 
est in  the  work  going  on  below  in  the  offices.  Even  on  the  day  of  his  death, 
April  27,  1886,  he  talked  confidently  to  his  doctor  of  his  tasks,  and  of  his  wish 
to  live  at  least  two  \ears  more  to  complete  the  work  begun.  His  passing  away 
toward  midnight  was  without  pain,  and  peacelul. 

The  shock  to  his  friends  was  very  great  and  his  loss  seemed  to  the  public 
like  a  national  misfortune.  His  chise  friend,  Dr.  Phillips  Brooks  conducted 
the  funeral  service  in  Trinity  Church,  lie  had  not  yet  reached  the  age  of 
forty-eight,  being  taken  away  in  the  \ery  prime  of  life. 

The  completion  of  his  unlinished  contracts  went  on  without  delay  in  the 
hands  of  his  pupils  and  executors,  Messrs.  Shepley,  Rutan  &  Coolidge,  who 
carried  out  faithfully  the  plans  of  their  master  and  teacher.  The  Pittsburgh 
buildings  and  Marshall  Field  wdiolesale  store,  Chicago,  were  about  half  fin- 
ished. The  Chamber  of  Commerce  designs  had  received  their  final  revision  at 
his  hands,  and  the  first  bids  for  construction  were  awaited:  the  old  Post- 
oflice  was  still  standing,  Init  its  remo\al  ])egan  about  a  month  after  his  death. 


34 


KlrllARDSON's     KciMANRS()UE     AkcIHTKCTIRK 


Stimulus  to  American  Architecture. 


The  perioil  in  which  he  bej^aii  his  work  was  (iiie  utterly  lacking  in  a  style 
fit  for  ])roniiiient  or  public  buildings,  and  one  when  the  call  for  such  buildings 
was  especially  great.  The  rapid  growth  (if  towns  and  cities  in  America  called 
for  larger  municipal  buildings,  and  the  few  which  he  Iniilt  intliienced  the  con- 
struction of  scores,  if  not  hundreds,  of  others. 

The  American  public  was  unbiased  toward  any  other  style  and  free  to 
accept  that  which  he  worked  out.  He  did  in  America  what  would  have  been 
impossible  in  Euroj^e.  His  work  touched  a  popular  chord  and  there  was 
hardly  a  town  or  hamlet  intu  which  his  fame  had  net  gone,  and  his  loss  felt. 

Altho  the  classic  styles  have  come  forward  into  prominence  with  passing 
years,  displacing  his  tnedieval  type,  yet  the  effects  of  his  inspiring  career 
remain  in  our  national  architecture.  No  man  ever  came  nearer  to  perpetu- 
ating his  name  in  an  architectural  style  than  did  Henry  Hobson  Richardson  in 
his  Romanesque  style. 

The  Boston  Society  of  Architects  passed  resolutions  a  few  days  after  his 
death,  which  fittingly  characterize  his  life: 

"In  his  brilliant  career,  which  is  now  brought  ti  i  a  close,  we  recognize 
the  rare  union  of  well  nigh  all  the  qualities  on  which  true  success  in  the  prac- 
tice of  architecture  depends.  He  had  the  instinct  for  form,  proportion  and 
color,  the  genius  for  orderly  arrangement  an<l  ])icturesque  grouping  of  parts; 
and  in  addition  to  all  this  power,  he  had  an  extraordinary  force  and  energy  of 
character,  which  enabled  hiiu  to  use  his  gifts  to  their  utmost  advantage,  to 
despise  the  pain  and  weakness  of  an  insidious  and  fatal  disease,  and  to  work 
with  unflagging  zeal  and  efficiency  up  to  the  last  day  of  his  life. 

"His  gifts  and  his  courage,  brightened  by  a  remarkable  intellectual  vivac- 
ity, made  him  the  most  interesting  and  cmnmanding  personality  which  the 
profession  in  America  has  ever  known.  He  died  in  the  full  maturity  and  vigor 
of  his  power,  but  not  before  his  fame  was  assured  l)y  the  monuments  which  his 
genius  had  raised  on  every  hand." 


His 

Favorite  Portrait. 


'In  Medieval  Garb." 


[Courtesy  of 
American  Architect] 


35 


Cincinnati  Asthonomicai.  Sociktv 


li  "nil'  .  \'  i'f  Kid,n!:>    Art  ('->  ,  Ctju  inuntt] 

The  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce,  Vine  Street  view.  The  fine  proportions 
and  symmetry  of  the  building  are  shown  to  advantage  in  this  photograph. 
It  was  taken  from  the  east  at  the  distance  of  the  Harrison  building,  and  across 
the  sites  of  the  old  Pike's  Opera  House  and  Seasongood  building.  Con- 
struction sheds  of  the  Sinton  Hotel  appear  in  the  foreground.       Date,  1905. 


36 


THE  OLD  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  BUtLDING  OF  CINCINNATI, 
H.  H.  RICHARDSON,  ARCHITECT 


By  a.  O.  Elznek 


The  oUi  Clianilicr  ni  Ciminiorce  ISuildiny.  which  was  -lestn  ived  In-  i'lre, 
was  the  work  of  11.  11.  Richardson,  architect,  of  Boston. 

Mr.  Richardson  died  just  after  the  completion  of  the  drawings  and  speci- 
tications — in  fact,  hefore  the  bids  for  the  construction  were  received  ;  aufi, 
therefore,  did  not  live  to  see  the  erection  of  this  buildinj^,  which  has  been  called 
his  masterpiece,  at  least  one  of  se\eral  \vhich  rank  perhaps  equally  great  with 
this  one. 

The  story  of  the  conception  of  this  design  might  be  made  an  interesting 
nne:  The  building  committee  that  was  charged  with  the  task  of  selecting  an 
architect  resorted  to  competition,  having  in\ited  the  leading  architects  of 
Cincinnati,  as  well  as  Mr.  Richardson,  wdio  at  tliat  time  had  reached  practically 
the  zenith  of  his  fame  and  was  easily  accounted  the  foremo-^t  architect  of  the 
countr}'. 

^Ir.  Richardson  at  once  attacked  the  problem  with  his  characteristic  dis- 
regard of  precedent.  The  motif  of  the  design  was  so  bold  and  so  simple,  and 
yet  so  stately  and  dignified,  that  it  challenged  to  the  utmost  his  ingenuity  to 
jiroduce  a  plan  which  wrndd  reconcile  the  commercial  requirements  of  the 
building  with  the  artistic  sjiirit  nf  the  design,  which  was  cost  upon  such  a  high 
plane  of  excellence  that  sucli  a  reconciliatii.m  at  first  seemed  almost  hopeless. 
Some  of  his  friends,  fearing  that  the  success  of  t!ie  competition  might  be  en- 
dangered by  his  determined  insistence  upon  sacrificing  valuable  floor  space 
to  the  stern  recjuiren:ents  of  his  design,  ])re\ailed  upon  him,  in  fact  to  submit 
an  alternative  scheme  which,  according  to  their  ideas,  would  more  fully  satisfy 
the  demands  of  the  commercial  element.  This  he  tlid  most  reluctantly,  and 
was  correspondingy  elated  when  notified  of  the  acceptance  of  his  real  design. 

The  question  in\olved  in  this  imint  \\-as  one  which  called  for  square 
towers  instead  of  the  Ijeautiful  round  ones,  as  well  as  tiie  other  one  of  tlis- 
pensing  with  the  strong  l)attcr  or  outward  sloping  face  of  the  foundations,  a 
feature  wdiich  imparted  the  wonderful  sense  of  st.aliilitv  to  this  massive  struc- 
ture. 

It  has  been  charged  tiiat  Richardson  took  the  niotit  of  tiii^  design  from 
some  well-known  ancient  buildings  and  was  not  fairly  entitled  to  the  credit 
for  originalit}-.  There  is  altsolutely  no  justificati  in  in  tliis  cliarge,  as  there  is 
no  truth  in  it.  There  was  no  building  anywhere  which  couhl  lia\c  >er\  ed  as 
a  model.  In  fact,  if  we  were  to  try  to  fnid  any  p.articular  -onrce  of  insjMration 
we  would  be  more  apt  to  look  among  the  aqueducts  of  the  ancient  Romans, 
which  stretched  across  the  valleys  in  m;iiestic  -ircides.  In  these  cases  tlie 
scheme  of  design  chefly  consisted  of  large,  massive  arches  Ijelow,  surmounted 
by  a  tier  of  smaller  ones,  and  these  in  turn  being  crowned  bv  an  ;ircaile  <if  still 
smaller  arches.  Even  so,  it  cannot  be  strictly  claimed  th.it  the  a(|ueduct  -served 
as  an  exact  model,  which,  in  fact,  they  did  not;  their  inspiratii>n  had  chietiv 

37 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Socikty 

to  do  with  the  sense  of  solidity  aiul  dignity  and  repose,  all  i>\  which  arc  <|iiali- 
fications  demanded  by  such  an  organization  as  a  Chamber  of  Cdnimerce,  rep- 
resenting, as  it  does,  the  solid  and  substantial  business  interests  of  a  city. 

A  t'haniber  of  Coninierce  is  an  institntiim  ciitirch  different  frum  anv 
iithers  in  a  niuniciijality  :  and  it  was  kichardsim's  aim,  therefore,  U>  design  a 
building  which  wnuhl  ha\e  an  unmistakable  indi\idualitv  <if  its  own.  reflecting 
as  far  as  jjossible  llie  characteristics  of  the  special  uses  to  \shiih  it  wnuld  serve. 
This  should  be  the  aim  of  all  good  architecture;  'ind  it  i>  unfortunate  to  note 
that  it  too  often  ha])]iciis  that  a  design  is  ad<iptc(!  for  a  public  building  with- 
out reflecting  in  any  way  the  ])articular  characteristics  (il  its  purj)!  >>(_■,  and  that 
it  might  be  easily  mistaken  for  any  nne  nf  a  dnzen  or  nmre  uses  r.athcr  than 
the  one  for  which  it  was  intended. 

Mr.  kich.ardson's  first  skettli  Uiv  thi'  C'li.imber  uf  Cmnnicrcc  was  just  as 
simijle  as  the  design  itself,  lie  used  a  <)-l'.  pencil  and  d;islu-il  (<i(  a  little  free- 
hand sketch  on  a  letter  sheet.  It  only  took  him  a  few  minutes  tn  do  this,  and 
this  was  turned  o\-er  to  his  designers  to  develop  into  the  beautiful  building 
which  was  finally  e\cil\ed.  (.)f  C(.)ursc.  this  was  done  under  his  cnustant  per- 
sonal suijervision,  and  only  such  men  could  accomplish  this  as  had  been  trained 
by  him  in  all  the  wonderful  details  of  the  Romanesque  style  which  he  made 
his  own.  Many  sul)secpiently  tried  to  cupy  this  style  of  his  and,  naturall\ .  pm- 
duced  nothing  but  weak  iniitations.  No  one  e\er  succeeded  as  well  as  he  did  ; 
and,  consequently,  after  Itis  death,  this  beautiful  Richardsduian  Romanestpie 
was  buft'etcd  about  by  a  great  band  nf  iniitaturs  until  it  tinallv  succumbed  and 
died  from  sheer  exhaustic  m. 

As  much  as  we  might  admire  the  Kunianesque  which  Kich.ardson  devel- 
oped so  beautifully,  it  is  not  this  .ilunc  which  established  his  pusitioii  nf 
supremacy.  His  great  distinction  rests  iqjun  the  fact  that  he  went  back  to 
first  princijiles  in  design.  It  will  be  remembered  that  he  studied  many  years 
in  the  world-renowned  Kcole  des  Beaux  Arts,  in  I^aris.  When  he  returned 
to  this  country  and  Ijegan  the  j)ractice  of  his  profession  in  the  late  si.xties,  he 
found  the  architecture  in  a  woeful  plight.  The  pure  styles,  namely  the  (ireek 
and  the  Roman,  and  e\'en  the  ('.othic,  h.ul  been  used  and  cast  aside.  Nonde- 
script styles  were  being  exi.iKed,  and  the  so-c;iIlcd  Queen  Anne  was  rapidly 
coming  into  fax'or.  (irand  mixtures  of  ;ill  kinds  were  producing  nothing  but 
discord  and  chaos,  until  finally  the  jiublic  ;ind  the  architects  themselves  realK' 
did  not  know  wh.it  to  do  next  or  where  to  turn  for  ins])iration.  It  was  at  this 
juncture  that  Richardson  appeared  on  the  horizon  and  reasserted  the  original 
princi]des  of  design  which  have  [prevailed  in  .all  pure  styles  from  the  beginning 
and  will  continue  to  do  so.  lie  showed  that  they  are  equally  ap])licable  to  all 
styles  and  demonstrated  this  by  their  successful  a])plication  to  the  Ivmi.an- 
esque. 

It  was  this  which  lent  the  great  ch.arm  to  hi<  buildings,  more  so  th.in  the 
actual  details  of  ornamentation  \\\t\\  which  they  were  embellished.  In  f.ict, 
his  designs  were  such  that  as  a  rule  ornamentation  could  be  omitted  without 
seriously  affecting  design,  a  fact  which  in  itself  constituted  anqjle  proof  i.if 
the  great  value  of  fundamental  ])rinci])Ies.  It  is  the  force  of  such  example 
that  set  architects  to  thinking  and  ser\ed  as  a  "beacon  light  to  lead  them  out 
of  the  wilderness,"'  as  it  were. 

38 


Dksu'.nixi'.  tii:;  C'h.\mhi;k  hk  Commerce 


:^hl,ii:.  MilfUii  >y  Co.] 


The  great  Drafting  Room  at  Brookline. 
Mr.  Richardson  seated.      Mr.  E'.zner  drawing  C.  of  C.  designs.       "The  Coops." 


In  a  few  years  after  his  death  the  World's  Fair  at  Chicago  presented  a 
wuiulerful  opportunity  for  architects  to  utilize  and  apply  the  lesson  which 
Richardson  had  taught  Iheni,  namely,  that  i;i  k  id  design  of  all  kinds  is  based 
upon  fundamental  principle--.  It  may  be  asserted  that  Intt  fur  this  lessoti,  the 
World's  Fair  would  ne\  er  ha\e  achieved  the  fatne  w  hicli  it  did  architecturally 
til  such  a  proniiunced  degree.  The  influence  whiclt  tliis  h;id.  subsequently, 
upon  the  entire  artistic  dexeh  ipment  <if  this  comitry,  not  only  in  the  field  of 
architecture,  but  in  all  the  arts,  was  s(  i  w'des])read  and  so  positi\e  that  one 
halts  in  amazement  at  the  cimtemplatii  mi  nf  the  influence  which  cine  man  ma_\- 
e.xert,  single-handed,  in  the  natinn's  artistic  de\  eli  ipment. 

That  is  the  position  that  Richardson  occupies,  and  that  is  why  we  should 
preserve  most  reverently  the  memory  of  the  old  Chamber  of  Commerce  lUiild- 
ing,  which,  while  it  may  ha\e  failed  to  a  cert.iin  extent,  as  has  been  claimed, 
to  serve  the  strictly  commercial  requirements,  nevertheless  rejiresented  a 
powerful  factor  in  shaping  the  artistic  destinies  of  the  American  peoiile. 


39 


CixcixNATi  Astronomical  Society 


[Photo,  by  Rombach  &*  Croenc] 
The  Chamber  of  Commerce,  1904.     View  from  the  Northeast. 


40 


The 
Chamber  of  Commerce  Building 

1889-191 I 


An    Historical    Sketch 


The  Story  of 

ITS    INCEPTION 
ITS   ERECTION 

ITS    DEDICATION 

ITS    DESTRUCTION 


#; 


^  %  .«3! 


Prepared  and  Compiled  Bv 

GEORGE    STUART    BRADBURY 

Former  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  who  served  as  Clerk  of  the  Board 
of  Real  Estate  Managers  during  the  Erection  of  the  Building. 


Its  Inception  and  Achievement. 

The  erection  of  this  beautiful  edifice,  dedicated  to  the  uses  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Merchants'  Exchange,  was  the  crowning 
realization,  long  deferred,  of  the  hopes  and  aspirations  of  its  members. 

For  more  than  twenty-five  years  before  its  erection,  the  spirit  of  its  con- 
ception and  achie\ement  was  alert  and  growing,  and  activities  to  this  end 
were  gathering  strength  and  energy,  which  idtimately  crystallized  and  found 
expression  in  the  completion  of  this  noble  and  inspiring  structure. 

A  history  of  the  building  would  be  incomplete  without  a  passing  refer- 
ence to  the  awakening  or  the  inception  of  the  undertaking,  which  had  its 
definite  origin  as  far  back  as  the  early  si.xties.  IndeecL  the  ambitiotis  project 
of  a  building  and  a  permanent  home,  while  it  was  _\et  but  a  dream,  long  ante- 
dated this  period,  for  we  read  in  its  charter  of  incorporation  of  March,  1850, 
the  expressed  rights  "to  acquire,  hold  and  possess,  occupy  and  enjoy,  by  gift, 
grant,  devise  or  otherwise,  all  such  real  estate  and  other  property  as  may  be 
necessary  and  convenient  for  the  support  and  transaction  oi  business  of  said 
Chamber  of  Commerce,"  from  which  we  may  draw  the  inference  that  the 
framers  of  "-he  charter  of  1850  had  the  project  and  the  future  erection  of  a  Ituild- 
ing  in  their  thotights. 

41 


CiNxiN'NATi  Astronomical  Society 

But  let  us  glance  througli  the  records  of  tin-  t'liamlier  of  Commerce. 
As  early  as  1866  it  is  \\rittcii  that: 

"An  acknowKclm'd  iicci'ssity  for  better  rooms  for  the  occupancy 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  lias  l)eeii  a  traditional  snl)ject  with  suc- 
cessive boards  for  a  long  time.  Public-spirited  members,  acting  as  com- 
mittees, devoted  a  great  deal  of  time  and  labor  in  the  effort  to  find  a 
place  for  the  erection  of  a  suitable  building,  but  their  diligent  work  has 
failed  at  least  of  present  success.  It  is  lioped,  iiotwilhstaii<ling  the 
discouragements  encountered,  that  the  matter  will  not  be  allowed  to 
rest  here,  but  that  something  creditable  to  the  wealth,  enterprise  and 
taste  of  the  members  may  yet  be  achieved  in  the  way  of  a  building." 

Again  in  lWi9,  when  the  work  >ii  obtaining  snt'ticient  sul)scri])tioiis  toward 
a  building  project  met  w  itii  f.iiliire,  the  re])ort  of  the  Hoard  of  Officers  of  date 
Septemlier  S,  1S69.  says: 

"It  is  a  work,  however,  which  the  members  of  the  Board  hope 
their  successors  will  not  lose  sight  of,  and  that  in  due  lime  we  shall 
have  a  place  of  meeting  which  will  not  be  a  discredit  to  tlie  i)n1)lic 
spirit  and  enterprise  of  the  community  which  we  represent." 

On  October  20,  1869,  a  lire  in  the  College  lUiilding  drove  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  to  seek  other  f|uarters,  and.  s])eaking  of  tlii^  niisfortnne,  the  rejjort 
of  the  Board  r)f  Officers,  vSe])tember,  1870,  expresses  the  hojic  th.nt 

"This  calamity,  which  caused  us  some  temporary  inconvenience, 
would  result  in  a  revival  of  an  effort  on  the  part  of  our  mcml)ers  to 
provide  a  Iniildiiig  expressly  for  the  use  of  the  Chaml)er  which  sliould 
in  every  way  be  adapted  to  its  wants — be  in  keeping,  in  style,  with  the 
wealth  of  our  community,  and  commensurate  with  the  progress  of  the 
times." 

Tlf::  Secretary's  report  of  September  12.  1S76,  says: 

"The  imperative  and  growing  need  of  a  Chamber  of  Commerce 
and  Merchants'  Exchange  Building  must  l)e  apparent  to  all  interested  in 
this  body.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  call  attention  to  the  inadequate 
proportions  and  the  general  imperfections  of  our  present  quarters 
(Smith  &  Nixon's  Hall)  except  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  alive  the 
interest  that  has  been  manifested  in  favor  of  a  new  building.  The  lease 
on  the  premises  now  occupied  expires  January  1,  1880,  or  within  three 
.  years  and  four  months,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  active  measures  will 

be  inaugurated  looking  to  the  erection  of  an  appropriate  building  at  an 
early  day,  and  that  they  will  l)e  successfully  carried  out." 

And  so  it  is  re\ealed  by  the  records  that  through  the  inter\ening  years 
from  1866  to  1S8,\  an  eveiitfid,  stirring  ])eriod  in  its  iiistor\-,  when  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  reached  the  zenith  of  its  prosperity  and  influence,  the 
achievement  of  a  building  a  permanent  home  for  the  organization — was 
ever  present  in  the  min<ls  ;ind  hearts  of  it>  members.  As  the  years  advanced, 
with  the  growth  of  the  organization,  there  were  increasing  activities  to  this 
end,  stimulated  by  its  growing  need  of  additional  space  and  facilities  for 
its  dail)-  sessions.  I''r(_iin  l)eing  a  tenant  of  leased  rptartcrs  the  Chamber  would 
l)ecome  the  possessor  of  its  own  pro])erty,  an<l  these  aims  and  ideals  were 
marked  with  a  steadfastness  of  purpose  and  a  spirit  of  determination  which 
recognized  no  failure. 

These  were  the  dominating  purposes  and  the  cherished  hopes  which 
animated  the  members  througli  the  passing  years,  atid  gave  impetus  to  the 
movement  which  subsecpiently  led  to  comjdete  and  triumphant  success. 

42 


History  oi-'  Chamber  oi'  Commerce  Building 

The  completed  building — a  masterpiece  of  architecture — was  dedicated 
January  29  and  30,  1889.  The  architect  of  the  huihlin;^  was  the  eminent  and 
noted  H.  H.  Richardson,  of  Brookline,  Mass.,  and  it  may  properly  be  called 
his  postliumous  or  last  important  work.  His  death  occurred  April  27,  1886, 
before  the  work  of  erection  had  begun.  The  firm  of  Shepley,  Rutan  &  Coolidge 
succeeded  to  his  business  and  were  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Real  Estate 
^Managers  the  architects  of  the  building  to  carry  out  Air   Richardson's  design. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  Building  was  not  erected  primarily  as  a 
purely  commercial  enterprise:  while  the  important  matter  of  revenue  was 
not  disregarded  in  its  construction  or  design,  yet  the  ciuestion  of  dollars  and 
cents  was  not  insistent  nor  \-ital  in  either  its  conception  or  its  purpose.  The 
dominant  motive  of  its  builders  and  projectors  was,  first,  to  meet  the  necessi- 
ties of  the  Association  and  to  provide  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  with  a  per- 
manent home  which,  in  its  physical  and  architectural  attributes,  should  be 
commensurate  with  the  dignitv  and  commercial  standinc  of  this  great  bodv  of 


[L\'lir!r\^y  v'  KntnlKjih  L^  Groe»e\ 

Fourth  Street,  looking  west  from  Vine,  about  1833.     From  an  early  painting. 
Home  of  Caleb  Bates.      First  Presbyterian  Church. 
Home  of  Dr.  Shotwell.     Home  of  Reuben  Springer.     Unitarian  Church. 

merchants  and  business  men,  which  then  embraced  a  membership  of  nearly 
2,300.  a!id,  at  the  same  time,  by  the  blending  of  art  with  utilit}-,  to  con- 
tribute to  the  architecture  of  the  city  a  structure  which  should  reflect  its 
purpose  and  be  at  once  a  credit  to  its  builders  and  a  source  of  pride  and  admir- 
ation to  our  citizens — and  that  this  was  accomplished  in  its  fullest  sense  and 
meaning  is  a  matter  of  history. 

The  responsibilities  and  obligations  of  an  undertaking  of  this  magnitude 
were  serious  and  difficult  of  solution  ;  the  financial  program  in  this,  as  in  all 
enterprises  of  its  kind,  was  a  leading  question.  How  it  could  be  successfully 
financed,  the  selection  of  a  suitable  location,  the  character  and  scope  of  the 
building,  were  matters  of  importance  which  invited  careful  and  intelligent 
decision.  That  these  requirements  were  wisel\-  and  ably  administered  is 
attested  by  the  results  attained  ami  by  the  enthusiastic  approval  of  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Chamber  and  the  public  at  large. 

43 


Cincinnati  Astko.nomicai,  Sociktv 

And  iKiw.  with  tlu'  ci  iinplction  (if  l\\\>  liiu'  edifice,  uitli  the  pride  c  ii  jkis- 
sessit)ii  in  their  hearts,  the  devotion  and  loyalty  of  its  memljers  were  rewarded, 
and  the  dreams  and  amliitions  of  years  had  lieconie  an  acconi])lishetl  reality. 

The  Site  of  the  Building — How   It  Was  Acquired. 

Tile  ^riiiind  u]i<iii  which  the  ImildiiiL;^  was  erected  was  the  site  nl  the  old 
Post  OlTice  and  Custom  House,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  h'ourth  and  \'ine 
Streets,  having  a  frontage  of  100  feet  on  r'"<nirth  Street.  130  feet  on  \ine  Street, 
and  100  feet  on  Burnet  Street,  "being  part  of  lots  mnnliered  212  and  21.i  on  the 
original  ])lan  of  said  city  of  Cincinnati,  heretofore  conveyed  t<i  the  United 
States  l)y  Mary  Ward  Shotwell,  Josej)!!  S.  I'.ates  ;iiid  w'fe,  and  William  Con- 
clin  and  wife,  in  separate  parcels  by  deeds  duly  recMrih-.!  in  the  land  records 
of  Hamilton  County,  State  of  Dhio,"  This  \alualile  properly  was  ])urchased 
from  th'i  United  States  (knernineiit  in  1879  at  the  \  cry  luw  price  of  $100,000, 
a  valuation  fixed  by  a  coniniissioii  of  prominent  citizens  ajjpoiiited  li\  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Hon.  John  Sherman,  to  apjiraise  the  \ahic  ol  the 
propert;'  and  rejKirt  to  him  at  what  ])rice  it  should  he  sohl  to  thi>  (."li:im- 
ber.  This  commission  was  composed  of  Messrs.  Aljihonso  Taft,  \\  illiani  S. 
Grocsbcck,  Christian  Moerlein.  William   Dennisoii  and  John   W  .  v'^te])henson. 

-Xegotiations  with  the  (jo\enimeiit  for  the  purclirise  of  this  ])roperty 
began  in  Februarw  1879,  when  tiie  .\ssociation  on  the  14tii  day  of  that  luonth, 
adopted  a  resolution,  which  authorized  the  api)ointmerit  of  a  committee  of 
five,  which  included  the  President  of  the  Ch.inihcr.  t^  \  isit  Washington,  to 
confer  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  ;uid  to  procure  if  possible  the 
necessary  legislation  favorable  to  the  sale  of  the  Post  Office  property.  This 
committee  was  composed  of  President  ^\'illiam  N.  Holjart.  M.  E.  Ingalls, 
Richard  Smith,  Benjamin  Eggleston  and  Thomas  vSherlock.  Their  mission  to 
Washington  ha\ing  been  successful,  and  the  sale  having  been  authorized  by 
joint  resolution  of  Congress  wdiich  was  passed  by  the  Senate,  February  20, 
1879,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  February  22,  1879,  and  signed  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  l''ebrnary  27,  1879,  and  the  \aluation  of  the 
property  having  been  appraised  by  the  commission,  the  negotiations  were 
thcren])on  approved  by  the  Chamber,  which  on  March  17.  1879,  passed  a  reso- 
lution authorizing  M.  E.  Ingalls,  Richard  Smith,  Briggs  Swift,  Theodore 
Cook  and  William  .\.  ilobart  a  committee  to  conclude  a  contract  with  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  liehalf  of  the  Chamber  for  the  purchase  of  the 
Post  CJffice  propert}-  at  a  [jrice  not  to  exceed  $100,000.  (Jf  this  committee, 
appointed  to  \isit  \\  ashingtoii,  Messrs.  Ingalls,  Swift  and  Cook  were  unable 
to  attend,  ;ind  as  a  substitute  for  them  .Xmor  .Smith,  Jr.,  and  S.  II.  Burton  were 
appointed.  In  its  negotiations  this  committee  reached  an  agreement  with  the 
Secretary  cif  the  Trea^ur_\-  on  the  l)asis  of  $100,000,  with  the  condition  .added, 
that  if  Congress,  in  the  meantime,  should  disajjprove  of  the  sale  at  the  aj)- 
praised  value,  the  agreement  would  become  null  and  void. 

As  no  unfavorable  action  was  yet  taken  by  Congress,  the  Secretar\-  of  the 
Treasury  was  notified  in  vSeptemlier,  1880,  that  the  Chamber  was  ready  to 
enter  into  a  formal  cijntract,  and  in  December,  1880,  I'resident  Henry  C.  Urner 
and  Richard  Smith  visited  Washingtcpii  on  behalf  of  the  Chamber,  "to  aid  in  the 
completion  of  the  contract  which,  before  their  return,  was  signed  by  the 
Secretar_\-  of  the  Treasury,  i  in  the  ]iart  of  the  ( ic  ixernment.  and  subsec|uently 
by  the  President  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce."  Under  the  terms  of  this 
contract,  $40,000  in  four-per-cent  (jovernmenl  l)onds  were  deposited  bv  the 
Chamber  with  the  Secretary  of  tiie  Treasury  in  1881  to  lie  held  as  securit\-  for 
the  faithful  ])crformance  of  the  contract. 

44 


History  of  Chamber  ok  Commkrck  Building 

The  terms  and  c(iniliti<in->  of  purchase  were  ex])resse(!  in  the  afuresaid  con- 
tract, which  was  dated  December  10,  1880  Funnal  possession  of  the  jjroijerty 
was  given  when  the  Government  entered  ujjon  the  occupancy  of  the  new  Post 
Office  and  Government  Ruildini:;  in  Fifth  Street,  and  a  deed  was  executed  to 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  1)\  l);iiiiel  Ab-iiiniiiL;,  then  Secretar\-  of  the  Treas- 
ury, hearing  date  December  12,  1885. 


ICopyrri^h!  l>l?nlr.  hy  Rombach  b'  Croetn-,  hy  ^f'rdul  />(-rwivsiOHl 


United  States  Postoffice  and  Customs  House,  corner  Fourth  and  Vine  Streets, 
Completed  1857,  Demolished  1886.  Corinthian  Style.    James  R.  Wilson,  Architect. 


In  the  selection  of  a  .site  for  the  jiroposed  building,  it  may  be  of  passing 
interest  to  relate  the  activities  which  antedatcii  the  purchase  of  the  i'ost  ()ftice 
property.  In  August,  1878,  a  published  notice  appc.ired  in  the  daily  press 
that  the  Board  of  Officers  of  the  Chamber  would  receive  ])roposals  for  the  sale 
or  lease  of  property  suitable  in  size  and  location  for  tiie  erection  of  a  Chamber 
of  Commerce  building,  the  retjuirement  being  th.it  the  jiroperty  offered  should 
be  located  within  the  business  territory  boiuided  1)\-  Main  Street  on  the  east, 
Plum  Street  on  the  wot.  Sixth  Street  on  the  north,  and  Third  Street  on  the 
south.  In  resjmnse  to  tiiis  ad\  erti>enient  ten  proposals  were  received  for  sites, 
as  follows : 


45 


Cincinnati  Astrumimicai,  Socucty 

Proposals  for  Site — August,  1878. 

No.   1— lohn  Shillito— Offers  the  Premises  ;il    1{)M()5   W  .    I'mirlli 

Street,  measurino-  70  x  150  feet,  valued  at .-^i  id  nilO.OU 

Mr.  ShillitM  will  donate Jimido.OO 

$  ,S0.(X)0.(X1 

Ground  rent  at  ,S4.(K)()  ])er  ;innuni,  valued  at 6()()(H).0() 

Total $Mo.(H)l)00 

No.  2— D.   K.   Este   Estate— S.   W.   Cor.   Fifth   and    \ine   Streets: 

100  feet  on  Vine  Street  liv  S4l/,  feet  on   i'iilh  Street $oUU,UUU  UU 

Additional  40  feet  on   i'if'th  .Street 60.000.00 

Total $360,nnn.on 

No.  .1 — Pike's   Opera    House — Lease    nf    Premises    for    5    \'ears    ;it 

per  annum  ,$     8..S00.00 
Space — 128'/x70j/>  and  fi>ur  (.'unnniltee  Rooms. 

No.   4 — 1).    T.    Wright— East    side    ^f    I'lhii    and     I'.enliani     Allev— 

UKI  X  _'t)0  '(20,000  square   leet  ) '.  .  .$  05,UUU  UU 

No.  5 — Arlington    Hotel — Fifth    Street    between    Main    and    S\-ea- 

more,  94J^  x  99>4  (9,384  square  feet) ! .  .  .$  75.000.00 

No.  6 — |.    K.   Smith — North  side  of  Fourth  Street,  between    .Main 

and  W  alnut,  perpetual  lease  (\?,.\M  square  feet) $100,000  00 

Cash  Payment 33,000.00 

Total $133,000.00 

No.  7— J.  H.  Barker— S.  W.  Cor.  Fourth  and  h'.Im  Streets,  100  feet 
on  Fourth,  168  feet  on  Elm,  135  feet  on  .\Ici''arland,  con- 
taining 19,740  square  feet $130.()0()()0 

No.  8 — National  Theatre — East  side  of  Sycamore,  north  of  'iMiird, 
100x204  (approximately  25,000'square  feetj. 

Lease  with  privilege  of  purchase  at  8%  on  Ijasis  of.  .  .$  75,000.00 

Stibject  to  ground  rent,  $800  per  annum,  value 13.333.00 

Total  $88^333700 

nr  will  sell  at    ($20,000  ea si i,  hal.ince  in  10  pay- 
ments of  $5,000   each  ;it  7  per  cent  i)er  annum j..      70,000.00 

Ground  rent 13,333.00 

Total $83,33100 

or  will  sell  .at  ($.30,(XX)  cash,  balance  in  5  aimn.-il 

])ayments  at  '>  per  cent  per  annum  j    $  65,000.00 

Ground  rent J^3,333.()0 

Total $78,333.00 

No.  9 — Robert    Cooper — S.    ^\'.    Cor.    Seventh    ;ind    Lodge,    154    feet 
on  Seventh  bv  100  feet  on  Lodge  (ai)proximately  16,000 
square  feet)  .' .' $  70,000.00 

No.  10  1).  K.  Este  Estate — S.  \V.  Cor.  Fourth  and  Sycamore, 
100  feet  on  Fourth  bv  90  feet  on  Sycamore,  annual  ren- 
tal, $3,600,  value  ....'. $  60,000.00 

N.   W.   Cor.   Sixth   and   \'ine   Streets,   prominently   mentioned,   but 
no  proposition  made,  100x200  (20,000  s<|uare  feet). 
Reported  term,s — ground  rent  of  $14,000  per  annum, 

\-alue  (withotit  jirivilege  of  purchase) $233, 333. (X) 

|6 


History  of  Ciiammi.u  hi'  C(immi:rct.  Building 

(  )f  the  foregoing  proposals  that  of  tlie  southwest  corner  of  Fourth  and 
Ehii  Streets,  having  a  frontage  of  100  feet  on  Fourth  Street,  168  feet  on  F,Im 
Street  and  135  feet  on  McFarland  Street,  at  a  valuatirni  of  $1,30,000,  met  with 
the  greatest  favor,  and  subsequently,  after  extended  consideration  and  con- 
ferences with  the  owners,  the  purchase  of  this  site  was  unanimously  approved 
bv  the  Bnard  of  Ofificers  December  3,  IN/X,  .-nul  rccnmmeiided  to  the  Associa- 
tion Januarv  29,  1879.  While  action  on  this  proposition  was  pending,  the 
Post  Office  site  at  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets  came  into  prominence,  in  view 
of  its  ultimate  abandonment  by  the  ('iii\crninent  upon  completion  iif  the  new 
Post  Office  and  Federal  l.niilding.  A  resolution  presented  to  the  Chamber 
Februar\-  14,  1879,  authorized  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  five  mem- 
bers, including  the  President,  to  visit  Washington  for  the  jiurixise  of  opening 


{Photo,  by  Kraenu)     1  < ;  ( 
The  northeast  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine  1894. 
Cincinnati  Gazette,  1856,  later,  Hammond  Building  to  1902.    Present  Ingalls  Building  erected  1003. 

the  negotiations  with  the  Goxernment  w  hich  ultiniatch'  led  to  the  ])urclia'^e  ol 
the  site  at  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets,  as  before  related,  and  superseded  the  ttu"- 
ther  consideration  of  the  Fourth  and  Flni  Street  site.  The  action  of  the  Board 
in  favoring  the  site  at  Fourth  and  J^lm  Streets  carried  with  it  the  appointment 
of  a  committee  of  leading  members  ein])owered  to  consult  architects  and 
secure  plans  and  estimates  for  a  new  building  forthwith,  and  sul.isequently 
another  committee  was  appointed  to  prei)are  a  financial  plan  and  to  take  into 
consideration  the  legal  aspects  of  the  case — whether  its  present  charter  g;ive 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  authority  to  purchase  land  and  erect  a  building 
and  to  finance  it  by  the  issuance  of  stocks  or  lionds,  if  the  same  should  be 
necessary.  From  these  preliminary  steps  ma_\-  be  traced  the  zeal,  the  earnest- 
ness, the  activity  and,  indeed,  the  possibility  of  a  building  at  l-'ourth  an<l  l'".lm 
Streets,  which,  it  may  safely  be  said,  was  only  prexented  Ijy  ftjrtuitous  cir- 
cumstances and  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  influential  memlters. 


47 


Cincinnati  Astkuxumic.m.  Socikty 


After  tin-  riianiliiT  nf  (.'kiiiiiutcc  liad  iuiivliaM.'il  the  l'«i>l  (  )rrKc  lot.  wliirli 
was  admittedly  the  most  central,  valuable  and  attractive  site  in  the  city,  a 
Icadiui,^  real  estate  investor  and  capitalist  had  pmposed  to  erect  or  remodel  a 
building  on  the  site  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Sixth  and  Vme  Streets,  with 
the  rights  of  perpetual  occupancy  by  the  Chamber  of  adequate  premises  tree 
of  rent,  in  exchange  for  the  relinquislimenl  and  transfer  of  its  contract  with 
the  L'nited  States  Government  for  the  property  at  Fourth  and  \ine  Streets. 
'Phis  proposition  was  not  seriously  considered  as  it  was  not  in  li.innony  with 
the  sjjirit  which  had  prevailed  among  the  members  in  the  years  past,  nor  in 
strict  faith  with  the  Government,  which  had  yielded  out  of  special  considera- 
tion to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  as  a  semi-public  body,  representative  of  the 
commercial  and  industrial  interests  of  Cincinnati  and  the  nhi.,  V.illry,  and 
one  of  the  leading  and  most  influential  organizations  i.if  the  country. 


[  Flwto.  hy  Krili-nli-r  Art  Co.] 

The  southeast  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine,  1889.  Sprague  (1854)  later  called 
Seasongood  Building  on  corner.  Pike's  Opera  House.  Chamber  of  Commerce 
rented  Pike  auditorium  from  November,  1881  to  January,  1889. 

The  proposal  to  enlarge  the  site  accpiircd  at  l''cjurlh  and  \'ine  Streets  l)y 
the  purchase  of  an  additional  i5  feet  adjoining  the  property  on  the  west  at  a 
valuation  of  $175,000  was  recommended  to  the  .Association,  but  this  was 
unpopular  and  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  members  taken  May  19,  1884. 

As  an  historical  side-light  upon  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  early  Cin- 
cinnati, and  the  value  of  real  estate  in  the  vicinity  of  Fourth  and  \'ine 
Streets,  we  quote  from  the  preface  of  a  siuall  volume  entitled,  "Cincinnati  in 
1826,"  edited  by  B.  Drake  and  E.  D.  Mansfield — Printed  by  ^Morgan,  Lodge  & 
Fisher.  Cincinnati.    The  preface  says — 

"The  almost  unexampled  rajiidity  with  which  the  late  humble  village  of 
Cincinnati  has  advanced  to  the  rank  and  oinilence  of  a  city,  has  excited  a  wide- 
spread and  increasing  interest  throughout  the  countrw  in  relation  both  to  its 
actual  condition  and  the  future  prospects." 

48 


History  ov  Chamber  of  Cummkrck  Building 

The  article  states  that  the  square  l>ouiuled  b}-  Third  and  Fourth  Streets 
and  \'ine  and  Race  Streets,  upon  which  Judge  Burnet  resided,  could  be 
obtained  for  about  $25,000,  and  advances  the  opinion  that  "no  one  can  doubt 
that  in  ten  years  it  may  be  sold  for  double  that  sum." 

The  population  of  Cincinnati  in  1826  was  16,230. 

The  Financial  Plan. 

The  nucletis  of  a  building  fund  originaU-d  from  the  ordinary  accumu- 
lations, in  the  ten  years  prior  to  1879,  at  which  date  there  were  assets  of 
$40,000,  invested  in  U.  S.  4%  reg.  bonds.  These  were  deposited  with  the 
Government  in  1881  as  security  for  the  purchase  of  the  Post  Office  prop- 
erty, and  when,  in  1885,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  was  ready  to  execute 


Ronihiicli  ^'  Groeiiel 


The  northwest  corner  of  Fourth  and  Vine.    1904.    Eckstein  Building,  Erected  1856, 

later  called  Big  Four  and  Western  Union  Building.     German  National  Bank  erected  1905. 

Shadow  of  Chamber  of  Commerce  shows  roof  turrets. 


a  deed  for  the  lot  at  Fourth  and  \'inc  Streets,  the  bonds  were  sold  b_\- 
the  Government  and  the  proceeds,  $49,125,  apj)Iied  to  the  purchase  price. 
But  it  was  not  until  1882  that  a  successful  financial  jilan  was  devised, 
under  which  an  ample  fund  was  raised  to  begin  the  ])reliminary  and  active 
construction  of  the  building.  By  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year,  .\ugust  ,il,  1886, 
this  fund  had  grown  to  the  generous  proportions  of  $491,649.99,  which  in- 
cluded $100,000  paid  for  the  real  estate  at  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets. 

The  financial  plan  formulated  to  raise  the  necessary  building  ftmd  was 
devised  and  prepared  by  Henry  C.  Urner,  then  President  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  and  was  based  upon  the  issuance  of  Certificates  of  Membership 

49 


Cincinnati  Astr(in(imic.m,  Sociktv 

t(i  all  in(li\i(lual  members  of  record  who  wished  to  participate  in  the  iilaii. 
'i'his  ])rovision  was  incorporated  in  the  constitution  as  amended  March  14, 
1882,  and,  hrietly  stated,  pro\  idi-d  thai  ti  i  ,dl  prr-rnl  nuMnhers  ;it  that  date  wli" 
wished  to  accept  the  conditions  of  tiie  plan,  a  Certillcate  of  .\lend)ershi])  would 
be  issued  uiion  the  ])ayment  of  $100,  if  ap])lied  for  within  two  in<inths  from  the 
passage  of  this  amendment  :  to  others  admitted  tn  nicndier^liip  brtwecn  M.arch 
14,  1882,  and  January  1,  1S8.\  the  initiation  fee  \\i>uld  be  $250:  between  Janu- 
ray  1,  1883,  and  January  1,  1884,  the  initiation  fee  would  be  $500.  an<l  thereafter 

$r,ooo. 


1  l'lu>l(K  hv  Hfimbiic'i  it  Groene] 

South  side  of  Fourth  Street,  near  Vine,  in  1890.    Pike's  Opera  House,  Home  of  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  1881-89.     Distinctive,  cast'.e-like  Chamber  of  Commerce. 


The  fact  that  the  Certilicates  of  .\lend)ership  thus  ])ro\ided  for.  were  trans- 
ferable from  one  ])erson  to  another,  if  didy  elected,  inii)arteil  to  the  certificate 
a  marketable  or  salaljle  \alue,  and  gave  members  the  right  to  sell  and  transfer 
their  certificates,  if  they  should  wish  to  retire,  and  the  annually  increasing 
amount  of  the  initiation  fee  from  $100  to  $250,  to  $500.  and  to  $1,000,  gave  a 
financial  advantage  to  the  purchasers  of  certificates  at  $100  o\er  those  who 
came  after,  and  this  provision  was  a  stimulus  wdiich  brought  into  the  Chamber 
a  large  number  of  members.  W  ith  the  exce|)tion  of  a  small  ntimber,  nearl\- 
all  members  of  the  Chamber  at  the  date  March  14,  1882,  availed  themsel\-es 
of  the  opportunit}-  to  ])urc]iase  certificates  at  $100.     There  was  a  large  influx 

5° 


HlSTOKV    OK    ChaMHKR    OF    COMMERCE    BtMI.DINX 

of  new  members  during  the  remainder  of  1882  at  the  initiation  fee  of  $250,  and 
at  the  increased  fee  of  $500,  effective  January  1,  188.3,  there  was  a  single  mem- 
ber taken  in  at  that  price  before  the  By-Laws  were  again  revised  and  amended 
March  13,  1883,  whereb>-  the  admission  to  membership  I)y  the  payment  of  an 
initiation  fee  was  eliminated.  This,  in  effect,  was  a  ])ractical  limitation  of  the 
membership,  as  thereafter  members  were  admitted  only  by  transfer  of  certifi- 
cates. 

Under  this  certificate  plan  the  meml)ersliip  of  tiie  Chaml)er  f)f  Commerce 
increased  from  about  1.175  on  September  1.  1881,  to  a  total  of  2,275  on  March 
13,  1883,  of  which  number  2,184  were  certificate  members  ami  91  non-certifi- 
cate members.     It  mu>t  be  stated  the  certificate  jilan  was  not  com])ulsory. 


[I'ho'.n.  by  Kraemir  Art  Co.] 


Fourth  Street,  looking  west  from  Vine,  in  1Q02. 


Through  this  successful  plan,  and  the  accumulations  from  annual  dues 
and  other  sources  of  re\"enue,  the  assets  and  resources  of  the  Chamljer.  during 
the  period  of  four  years,  increased  from  $44,301.22  on  August  31,  1881,  to 
$438,448.77  on  August  31,  1885,  and  $491,(49.99  on  August  31,  1886,  which 
included  $100,000  paid  the  United  States  Go^.  ernmont  for  the  Post  Office 
property. 

The  foregoing  embraces  the  financial  program  that  brought  \itality  and 
success  to  the  building  enterprise.  Besides  the  immediate  resources  here  men- 
tioned, the  funds  were  materially  increased  from  the  earnings  and  investments 
of  the  accumulated  moneys  unemployed  before  the  building  operations  began. 

51 


Cincinnati  Astronomicai,  Socikty 

In  order  to  make  further  financial  provision  for  the  cwin|)Ktii  m  of  tlic 
building-,  the  Association,  at  a  special  meeting  held  December  24,  1880,  author- 
ized the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers  to  issue  bonds  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  to  an  amount  of  $150,000  to  bear  four  per  cent  interest,  redeem- 
able after  ten  years,  and  payable  in  twenty  years  from  date  of  issue,  rnder 
this  authcjrity,  the  bonds  were  issued,  bearing  date  January  1,  1888,  and  w  ere 
sold  at  par,  yielding  $150,000,  and  accrued  interest.  The  bonds  were  issued  in 
denominations  of  $500  each,  signed  by  Levi  C.  Goodale,  President,  and  W  il- 
liam  R.  Hutton,  Secretary,  and  bore  the  countersignature  of  Henry  C.  Irner 
as  the  Trustee,  to  whom  the  mortgage  upon  llu-  C'li.iiuher  of  Commerce  build- 
ing ;ind  lot,  was  executed,  as  security  for  the  holders  of  the  bonds. 

While  by  the  issuance  of  the  bonds,  sufficient  funds  were  raised  to  practi- 
cally COm[)lete  the  building,  there  yet  remained  the  necessity  (^f  meeting  the 
cost  of  carxing  and  furnishings,  which  had  not  been  included  in  the  original 
estimates;  and  to  provide  for  this  emergency  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  .Man- 
agers, together  with  the  President  and  Vice-Presidents,  were  authorized  in 
March.  1889,  to  negotiate  loans  of  $75,000,  which  was  known  as  the  I'"lo;iting 
Debt. 

Additional  to  the  foregoing  resources,  the  building  fund  was  further 
increased  by  a  bequest  of  $5,000  from  the  estate  of  the  late  James  A.  Frazer, 
a  \'alued  member  of  the  Chamber  and  a  leading  merchant  of  our  city.  This  was 
held  in  trust  until  the  building  was  begun,  and  yielded  $6,661.35.  Mr.  Frazer 
died  July  22,  1879.  in  recognition  of  his  public  spirit  and  generosity,  the 
Board  of  Directors,  in  1881,  procured  a  life-sized  portrait  painting  of  him, 
which  for  thirty  years  adorned  the  walls  of  the  Chamber,  it  was  destroyed 
by  the  fire  of  January  10,  1911.  A  similar  portrait  of  Josiah  Lawrence,  a  char- 
ter member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  1839,  and  a  prominent  merchant 
and  manufacturer  of  his  day,  which  also  hung  in  the  Ivxchange  Hall  for  many 
years,  was  seriously  damaged  by  the  fire. 

I'rior  to  this  period  of  financial  success,  which  we  have  here  briefly 
re\  iewed,  the  question  of  finances  and  the  failures  to  raise  sufificient  funds  for 
the  purposes  of  erecting  a  building,  had  been  for  years  the  main  cause  of 
repeated  discouragement.  In  the  year  1868  a  subscription  fund  was  started, 
with  the  ever-present  hope  of  a  new  building  in  view,  when  the  aggregate  of 
$100,000  was  subscribed,  and  here  the  project  was  temporarily  dropped. 
Again  in  1869,  when  the  Chamber  was  rendered  homeless  by  fire,  a  new 
l)uilding  was  agitated,  and  a  subscription  list  opened  that  reached  the  hand- 
some total  of  $225,000,  to  which  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  itself  sul)scrihed 
$20,000,  but  this  also  failed  for  want  of  further  support. 

During  the  period  immediately  after  the  Chamber  had  purchased  the  Post- 
office  property  there  were  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  improve  the 
financial  status,  in  \-iew  of  the  approaching  necessity  ot  providing  funds  to 
meet  the  payment  of  the  Ijalance  of  the  contract  when  it  should  become  due 
the  Government.  In  April,  1879,  a  j)lan  was  devised  for  the  soliciting  of  sub- 
scriptions from  members  in  amounts  not  less  than  $100,  each  member  so  con- 
tributing to  be  entitled  to  an  annual  rebate  of  $6  on  his  dues  to  the  Chamber, 
but  this  plan  did  not  meet  with  general  approval.  Another  plan  was  devised 
in  1881  whereb}-  it  was  sought  to  raise  additional  funds  to  pay  for  the  Post- 
office  lot  by  a  form  of  assessment  against  each  active  member,  the  amount  of 
$2.50  monthly  for  a  period  of  eighteen  months,  but  this  plan  was  voted  down 
by  the  Association ;  and  thus  it  was  one  failure  after  another,  until  the  cer- 
tificate plan  of  March  14,  1882,  was  established  and  led  to  ultimate  financial 
success. 

52 


History  of  Chambkr  of  Commkrck  Building 

The  Competition  for  Plans. 

The  securing  of  designs  ami  plans  lor  the  lunliling  was  accomplished  by 
a  conipetitii:>n.  governed  by  uniform  speciticatiuns  and  rec|uirements.  Six 
architects,  all  eminent  in  the  profession,  were  selected  and  invited  hy  the 
Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers  to  submit  plans,  for  which  comjiensation  was 
made.  The  selected  architects  were  James  W.  McLaughlin,  .'^anniel  llanna- 
ford,  and  A.  C.  Nash,  of  Cincinnati;  II.  H.  Richardson,  of  Brocikline,  Mass.; 
George  B.  Post,  of  Xew  York  City,  and  Burnham  &  Root,  of  Chicago,  to  each 
of  whom  $500  was  to  be  paid.  Architects  from  (ithcr  cities  were  admitted  to 
the  competition  U])on  the  same  terms  and  conditions  as  the  selected  architects, 
with  the  exception  that  they  were  not  to  be  compensated  for  the  ])lans  thus 


I (  oiir/rsv  of  Mrs.  II.  C.  Lrnrr] 
H.  H,  Kii-haril-on 
O.  Von  Mohl        Pitts  H.Burt        Eilw  .  Giiepiier        W  in.Wortliiiistoii       K.  J.  Hortoii      M  r.  Sliepli'V.  Ho.~tiiii 
\V.\V.  Taylor  A.  . I.  Clark  Reubeti  H.  Wardor  Sir  A.  T."i;oshom 

Henry  C.  (Truer    Leopold  Markbreit       Herman  (i<»epi>er  .Uihn  Chtireh 

Henry  P.  Bnyileii  .lohn  L.  stettinius       ciKi-.  L.  Miti-hell       .lohn  V.  Li  wi- 

Richardson  with  Cincinnati  friends  at  the  "Zoo"  Club  House.     Annual  dinner  of 
the  Hengstenberg  Lunch  Table,  in  May,  1885. 

submitted,  unless  selected  as  the  most  meritoricius.  These  architects  who 
entered  the  competition  were  Charles  Crapse}-,  I'Mwin  Anderson,  ami  11.  E. 
Siter,  of  Cincinnati ;  Samuel  J.  F.  Thayer,  F.  M,  Clark,  .\.  C.  l-"\  erett,  and  E.  M. 
Wheelwright,  all  of  Boston:  Bruce  Price,  of  Xew  N'ork  City,  and  .\1.  ]■'..  Beebe 
&  Son,  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


53 


Cincinnati  Astroxomkai.  Socikty 


5* 


History  of  Chambkr  of  Commkrce  Building 

There  were  in  all  thirteen  separate  sets  of  designs  and  plans  entered  in 
the  competitiiin,  which  clijsed  June  1,  1883,  of  which  number  two  were  juint 
designs,  one  submitted  by  Messrs  Anderson  and  Siter,  of  Cincinnati,  and  the 
other  by  Messrs.  Everett  and  Wheelwright,  of  Boston.  All  of  these  designs 
were  of  great  merit  and  uriginality,  and,  including  the  successful  Richardson 
design,  were  displayed  on  the  floor  of  "Change  f<ir  the  inspection  of  members 
and  citizens. 

The  scheme  and  scope  of  the  ci.impetition  is  expressed  in  the  published 
circular  issued  by  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers,  under  date  December 
17,  1884,  from  which  the  following  extracts  are  taken. 

Besides  the  general  conditions  already  mentioned,  the  circular  pruxidcil 
that  the  designs  submitted  shall  embrace  ground  and  floor  plans,  elevations 
of  three  sides  of  l;)uilding,  longitudinal  and  transverse  sections,  scale  j/^-inch 
to  the  foot,  the  drawings  to  be  in  black  lines  without  shading  or  coloring. 

"Each  design  must  provide  for  the  construction  of  a  building  of 
fire-proof  materials  of  the  most  improved  kind  (except  doors,  door  and 
window  frames  and  flooring  may  be  of  wood  and  iron  shutters  may 
be  dispensed  with),  and  must  include  all  modern  conveniences. 

"The  total  construction,  including  sidewalks,  heating  and  ventila- 
tion and  elevator  machinery  and  appliances,  must  not  e.Kceed  $500,000. 

"The  main  hall  to  be  as  large  as  possible  after  reserving  space  for 
corridors,  offices  and  other  supplemental  rooms.  The  size  of  the  main 
hall  is  of  the  first  importance. 

"All  architects  who  intend  to  enter  into  competition  must  notify 
the  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  such  intention,  on  or  before  the  15th  day  of 
January,  1885,  and  all  designs  must  be  placed  under  seal  in  the  hands 
of  the  Clerk  of  the  Board,  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  June,  1885,  when 
the  designs  will  be  opened  and  compared. 

"Each  design  must  bear  some  distinctive  mark  that  will  not  indi- 
cate the  name  of  tlie  person  submitting  it  and  shall  be  accompanied  by 
a  sealed  envelope  bearing  the  same  mark  and  containing  the  name  of 
the  author,  to  be  opened  only  after  the  Board  shall  have  canvassed 
the  merits  of  all  designs  submitted  and  made  its  decision  as  to  which 
one  is  the  most  satisfactory. 

"An  explicit  description  of  the  proposed  building  must  accompany 
each  design  stating  materials  to  be  used,  with  such  other  information 
as  will  enable  the  Board  to  obtain  trustworthy  estimates  of  the  cost  of 
construction  and  must  include  a  detailed  estimate  of  the  cost  by  tlie 
author  of  the  design." 

In  defining  the  question  of  compensation,  the  circular  says: 

"If  any  design  submitted  shall  be  approved  and  adopted  by  the 
Board  as  satisfactory,  tlie  person  suljmitting  the  same  shall  receive,  in 
lieu  of  the  $500,  hereinbefore  provided,  tlie  sum  of  $2,000  therefor, 
or  at  the  option  of  the  Board,  he  sliall  i)e  appointed  Architect  of  tlic 
building.  Should  the  successful  competitor  be  appointed  Architect  of 
the  Iniilding,  he  shall  be  paid  for  performing  the  duties  incident  to  that 
office,  the  compensation  usually  paid  according  to  the  Rules  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Architects." 

The  circular  closes  with  this  paragraph  : 

"Except  as  suggested  in  the  foregoing,  the  Board  of  Real  Estate 
Managers  has  avoided  forming  any  plan  of  its  own  as  to  the  proposed 
building,  and  has  no  suggestion  to  make.  It  prefers  to  leave  the  whole 
subject  to  the  untrammeled  taste  and  intelligence  of  the  competing 
architects.  In  comparing  designs  and  in  reaching  a  conclusion  as  to 
their  relative  merits,  consideration  will  be  principally  given  to  the 
quality,  size,  appearance  and  appropriate  character  of  the  building  for 
the  purposes  for  which  it  is  intended;  together  with  its  cost  and  the 
opportunities  afforded  for  rentals  in  the  parts  not  required  for  tlie 
uses  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  Board  will  be  glad  to  confer 
with  any  architect  intending  to  submit  a  design,  but  such  conference 
is  not  obligatory  on  the  part  of  architects." 

55 


ClN'CIXXATl    ASTRONOMIC.M,    SoClKTY 

The  Richardson  Design  Selected. 

'JMic  sck-ctctl  ami  siK-ccssful  design  was  that  sul)niiltcd  liy  11.  11.  Richard- 
son, of  Brookline,  Mas.s.,  one  of  the  most  renowned  and  distinijuished  archi- 
tects of  the  profession.  The  selection  of  the  Richardsdii  design  attracted 
considerable  professional  interest  thrcin,<;hiuu  the  i'ciuiitr\  in  architectural 
circles,  and  the  buildinj^-,  when  completed,  was  the  subject  dI  pictorial  articles 
and  critical  study  by  well-known  writers  on  art  and  architecture.  Of  this 
design  we  will  let  Mr.  Richardson  himself  speak.  l''rom  a  letter  to  the  Board 
of  Real  Instate  Managers,  which  accompanied  Mr.  Richardson's  design  and 
])lan,  in  explanation  anil  analysis  of  it,  we  cjuote  the  following  extracts: 


Early  Stage  of  Construction,  1887,  Showing  Great  Derricks. 


■■>!.     riniln.l 


"Tlie  plan  of  the  building  is  strictly  utilitarian,  the  aim  being  to 
obtain  the  greatest  practical  advantages  for  its  distinctive  purposes 
that  can  be  had  within  reasonable  limits  of  outlay.  In  considering 
what  is  reasonable  in  this  respect,  the  structure  has  been  regarded  as 
one  of  permanent  character,  and  the  probal)ilities  of  an  enlarged  popu- 
lation and  an  advancing  standard  of  civilized  requirement  have  not 
liecn  overlooked. 

■'.\s  to  light,  tlic  object  has  been  to  make  as  large  window  space 
as  shall  be  consistent  with  due  stren.gth  of  walls,  and  liy  resorting  to 
special  expedients,  of  which  the  result  will  be  that  the  great  hall  and 
all  the  ofticcs  receive  Hoods  of  light,  while  not  a  single  room  in  the 
building  lacks  direct  ligiu  througliout  the  outer  walls,  in  excess  of 
ordinary  rules. 

"As  to  architectural  effect,  with  the  atmospheric  difticulties  of 
the  locality  in  view,  the  design  lias  been  to  provide  a  building  the  char- 
acter of  which  should  depend  on  its  outlines,  on  the  massing  and 
accentuation  of  the  main  features  representing  its  leading  purposes, 
and  on  the  relation  of  the  openings  to  the  solid  parts.  Although, 
under  your  requirement,  as  great  preponderance  of  openings  is  neces- 
sary, the  intention  has  been  to  produce  that  sense  of  solidity  requisite 
in  dignified,  monumental  work,  l)y  a  careful  study  of  the  piers  and  by  a 
perfectly  quiet  and  massive  treatment  of  the  wall  surfaces. 

56 


History  of  Chambkr  of  Commfrcf.  Bi-ri.Dixr, 

"The  construction  is  fire-proof  througliont.  The  outer  walls  are 
of  Longmeadow  brown  stone,  backed  with  lirick,  except  in  tlic  l)ase- 
ment.  where  the  walls  are  of  solid  red  granite. 

"A  free  treatment  of  Romanesque  has  lieen  followed  throughout 
as  a  style  especially  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  a  large  civic  Iniild- 
ing:  for  while  it  maintains  great  dignity,  together  with  a  strong  sense 
of  solidity,  it  lends  itself  at  the  same  time  most  readily  to  the  require- 
ments of  utility,  especially  in  the  matter  of  light.  To  strengthen  this 
feeling  of  dignity,  and  to  express  the  civic  character  of  the  building, 
the  corners  have  been  emphasized,  and  a  monumental  treatment  fol- 
lowed throughout.  The  drawings  are  so  complete  that  a  further 
description  of  the  exterior  seems  unnecessary. 

"An  alternative  design  is  submitted  whicli  has  practically  the 
same  arrangement  throughout  as  the  first  design.  This  design  does 
away  with  the  round  towers  on  the  corners,  and  lirings  the  walls  out 
to  tiie  limit  of  the  lot.  By  this  means  the  area  of  the  great  hall  is 
increased,  giving  with  its  lobliy  an  area  i>f  11.184  square  feet." 


(,.  (lurii,  I'holo.] 


Construction.     Completion  of  the  Great  Arches,  1887-1888. 


It  is  noted  that  Air.  Richardson's  design  contemplated  the  use  of  Long- 
meadow  brown  stone  for  tlie  tip])er  superstructure  and  red  granite  in  the 
basement  walls,  hut  in  the  sul)>e(|ucnt  sijeciticatii  iiis  X.h\>  \va-~  ciianged  and 
granite  was  substituted  for  the  exterior  walls  thrnughout,  the  "pink  Milford" 
granite  being  used  instead  of  the  brown  stone.  In  the  selection  of  the  pink 
Milford  granite,  the  Board  was  assisted  in  reaching  this  decision  by  a  trip  to 
Pittsburgh  to  view  the  new  dainty  l)iiildings  in  that  cit_\-  then  being  built  of 
this  beautiful  granite. 


57 


CiNCixxATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

111  the  altcriiati\  c  ili'siLjn  referred  tn,  the  ecirners  of  tlie  luiililini;'  were 
treated  in  a  squared-tower  etteet,  hut  it  is  known  tliat  Mr.  1\i>har(lsc)n'.s  artistic 
preference  was  for  the  design  witli  the  round  corners,  and  il  was  this  design, 
one  of  great  heauty  and  liannoiiy,  which  was  cliosen  h_\  tiie  Hoard  of  i'ieal 
Estate  Managers,  June  8,  1885,  hy  unanimous  vote. 

In  his  address  at  the  Dedicatory  ICxercises,  January  30,  hSS'^  .\lr.  I  lenry  C. 
L'riier,  in  speaking  of  tlie  Richardson  design,  said: 

"In  di-cidin.i;  upun  the  character  ijf  the  IniiUliiig,  tlic  matter  of 
first  necessity  was  to  provide  for  the  utilitarian  purposes  to  which 
it  was  to  be  applied.  Principal  of  these  was  a  proper  provision  lor 
a  great  hall  for  tlic  daily  sessions  of  the  Association  and  apartments 
for  its  other  uses.  .Spaces  were  also  to  lie  provided  from  wliich  rents 
could  be  derived.  After  suitable  provision  for  tliesc  purposes  had  been 
made  in  the  design,  it  was  the  intention  to  construct  a  Ijuildin.y  of 
enduring  materials,  wdiich  should  assure  it  against  the  accidents  tlial 
ofttimes  work  to  the  destruction  of  l)uildings,  and  to  build  in  such 
massive  mold  that  it  should  resist,  as  far  as  possible,  the  assaults  of 
time  itself.  Added  to  these  considerations  ivas  the  desire  tliat  in  its 
arcliitectural  form  and  proportions  tlie  building  should  lie  of  noble 
simplicity  in  outline,  rich  in  adornment,  suitalde  and  serviceable  in 
.genuine  vital  art.  clear  in  its  structural  expression,  and  jiractically 
representative  of  the  uses  and  purposes  of  the  organization  wliich  built 
it,  and  that  it  should  stand  for  all  time  as  a  suitable  contributicju  to 
the  architecture  of  the  city  from  its  chief  commercial  organization, 
whose  members  had  been  so  largely  the  cause  of  tlie  city's  prv)sperity — 
a  prosperity  in  which  tliey  have  abundantly  sliared. 

"This  was  the  problem  to  whicli  the  architect  addressed  himself 
W'ith  the  enthusiasm  and  compelling  will  of  genius.  In  conversation 
he  many  times  said  to  me  that  tlie  designing  of  tliis  building  presented 
to  liim  more  interestin.g  architectural  features  than  had  l)een  in  any 
work  which  he  had  ever  undertaken.  He  had.  he  said.  desi,gned  many 
buildin.gs  for  public  use  and  for  private  use,  but  never  had  he  had  such 
a  task  ))eforc  him  of  joining  those  uses,  and  of  constructing  an  edifice 
which  should  not  only  be  adapted  to  both,  but  which  should  show  by- 
its  exterior  its  chief  inner  purpose,  which  was  to  be,  as  he  expressed 
it,  the  home  of  a  great  civic  organization. 

"How  well  he  carried  out  these  thoughts,  and  in  what  noble  pur- 
pose they  have  culminated,  the  liuilding  itself  will  tell  more  eloquently 
than  can  any  human  tongue  long  after  we  who  today  celeiirate  its 
completion  by  dedicating  it  to  practical  use  shall  have  passed  away." 

A  Short  Description  of  the  Building. 

A  descriptioti  of  the  Intilding  from  the  purely  artistic  or  technical  stand- 
point will  be  left  to  the  pen  of  tlie  j)rofessional  architect,  and  in  the  limits  of 
this  sketch  we  will  make  but  brief  reference  to  the  physical  structure,  as  it 
a])peals  to  the  layman  and  the  ])assing  admirer. 

In  its  general  treatment  and  etteet  it  was  massive  and  monumental,  with 
outer  walls  of  great  depth,  built  of  rough  hewn  granite,  rising  eight  stories 
above  the  street  le\el.  and  terniin;iting  in  a  tall-])ointed  roof  of  red  tile,  whicli 
ascended  sharply  to  a  height  of  75  feet  above  the  eaves,  the  rounded  tower 
ctifects  at  the  four  corners  of  the  building  being  treated  iti  the  same  manner 
with  lower  conical  roofs.  Rising  above  the  cornice  were  five  dormer  win- 
dows on  the  Vine  Street  front,  and  a  single  and  larger  dormer  window 
on  each  of  the  Fourth  Street  and  Burnet  Street  fronts.  The  dominating 
feature  (jf  the  exterior  of  the  bnililing  was  the  clusters  or  arcades  of  .grace- 
fully arched  windows,  three  stories  in  height,  a  group  of  five  on  the  Vine 
Street  elevation  of  the  building,  and  a  group  of  three  each  on  the  Fourth 
Street  and  Btirnet  vStreet  elevations.  These  sujierli  arched  windows  were 
surmotmted  by  a  dotil.ile  story  of  smaller  arched  windows,  jdaced  in  pairs  over 

58 


History  of  Chamber  of  Com.mkrck  Brii.inxG 

each  of  the  main  arches  lielow.  and  were  Hanked  (in  either  side  l)y  tlie  niunded 
corner  towers,  the  walls  of  which,  from  the  second  to  the  fifth  floor  level,  were 
void  of  window  openings — a  feature  which  lent  to  the  whole  an  imposing  efifcct 
of  strength  and  dignity.  The  granite  of  which  the  building  was  constructed 
was  from  the  quarries  of  Xorcross  Brothers,  and  was  known  technically  as 
Worcester  granite,  or  "pink  Milford,"  owing  to  its  delicate  tinge  of  that  color 
on  its  freshlx"  cut  faces.  The  building  was  richly  embellished  with  i-arvings 
above  the  lines  of  the  second  floor,  mainly  on  the  arches  and  capitals  of  the 
large  window  clusters  on  the  Fourth  Street  and  \'ine  Street  elevations,  and  also 
on  the  smaller  window  o])enings  above  the  fifth  floor.  The  large  durmer  win- 
dows on  the  Fourth  Street  and  Burnet  Street  fronts  were  ornamented  with 
eagles  carved  in  granite,  two  on  each  dormer.  The  stone  carving  was  done  by 
Evans  &  Tombs,  of  Boston  {sub-contracti>rs),  from  original  designs  by  the 
architects,  and  cost  in  the  aggregate  $29,780.60.  But  a  description  of  this 
kind,  and  indeed  even  photographs  of  the  building,  give  but  an  inadequate 
and  superficial  idea  of  its  quiet  beauty  and  impressiveness.  It  should  be  seen 
to  be  fidly  grasped  and  appreciated. 

Of  its  interior  we  will  speak  but  briefly.  Below  the  Fourth  Street  level 
there  was  a  basement,  divided  into  two  large  rooms,  the  front  room  extending 
under  the  Fnurth  Street  sidewalk,  known  as  the  Restaurant,  and  the  rear  one, 
known  as  the  Bank  Room,  facing  on  \'ine  and  Btirnet  Streets.  Below  this 
was  the  subbasement,  in  the  south  half  of  which  was  located  the  power  and 
electric  plant.  The  main  entrance  to  the  building  was  at  the  extreme  west 
of  the  Fourth  Street  front,  a  few  steps  above  the  sidewalk,  and  (ipened  into  a 
roomy  corridor  22  feet  wide,  from  the  center  of  which  rose  the  main  staircase, 
and  on  either  side  of  which  were  located  the  elevators.  This  main  corridor 
ran  throtigh  to  Burnet  Street  by  a  descending  stairway,  and  was  intersected 
midway  by  a  broad  corridor  leading  from  the  \  ine  Street  entrance  of  the 
building.  The  first  floor  was  divided  into  two  large  rooms,  one  north  nf  the 
Vine  Street  entrance  and  one  to  the  south,  both  i  <i  \\hich  had  interior  connec- 
tions into  the  main  corridors.  On  the  second  flnur  v.-as  the  E.xchange  Hall, 
the  meeting  place  for  the  daily  sessions  of  the  Merchants'  Exchange.  This 
great  room  was  approximately  65  feet  wide  by  135  feet  long,  and  a  height  of 
50  feet  from  floor  to  ceiling,  and  to  this  floor  space  was  added  an  entrance 
lobby  or  approach  22  by  33  feet.  (Jpening  frt)m  the  Exchange  Hall,  and  con- 
necting with  it,  were  the  executive  offices  of  the  Chamber,  committee  rooms, 
lavatories,  cloak  room,  etc.,  and  o\erlooking  the  whole,  through  an  arcade 
of  polished  granite  arches,  was  a  ptiblic,  or  \isiti.irs',  galler_\-.  Immediately 
over  the  Exchange  Hall  were  three  floors  of  oftices,  frmn  the  fifth  to  the  sev- 
enth floor,  inclusive — scxenteen  moms  on  each  flcicir,  arranged  arotmd  a 
central  area  or  light  well,  and  aboxe  these  the  attic  le\el.  j\  uniciue  feature 
of  the  building  was  the  method  <if  suspending  the  three  upper  floors,  including 
the  ceiling  of  the  Exchange  Hall,  from  iron  trusses — fourteen  in  number — 
which  carried  the  interior  C(_in>truction  of  these  floors.  By  this  means  the 
grand  Exchange  Hall  was  kejjt  cntirelx'  free  of  cohunns  or  other  obstructions. 
On  top  of  these  trusses,  \\hich  spanned  the  building  from  east  to  west,  was 
built  the  iron  construction  on  which  rested  the  tile  roof.  The  dormer  windows 
admitted  light  to  the  attic,  and  on  the  west  slope  of  the  roof  was  a  large 
glass  skylight. 

59 


CiNXINXATI    ASTROXOMICAL    SoCIKTY 

An  open  area  or  li,L;lit  well,  facing  to  the  west,  apprnximatin.i;-  22  l)y  40 
feet  in  size,  admitted  li,i;lu  and  air  tn  the  interior  ronnis  and  stairway  halls 
above  the  frinrth  floor. 

The  l)nildini4'  \\;is  steam-heated  and  ])rovided  with  an  elaborate  s\steni 
ol  \entilation.  operated  liy  ;i  lartje  rotary  Ian  in  the  attic  dri\en  by  an  electric 
motor,  which  forced  fresh  heated  air  thronfjjh  ducts  to  the  main  parts  of  the 
building-,  'IMie  outside  air  su])]die(l  to  the  fan  was  cleaned  and  i)uriiied  by 
passing  tliron!,di  large  cloth  bags  and  tlien  heated  o\  er  steam  coils. 

The  Supervising  Architects — The  Construction  of  the  Building. 

The  tirni  of  ."^heijley,  Knt.an  (!<:  Coolidge,  of  i'.oston,  all  of  whom  were  con- 
nected \vith  Air.  Richardson's  office,  succeeded  to  his  business  after  his  death 
in  April,  1886,  and  were  ap]iointed  the  official  architects  of  the  building,  to 
carry  out  Mr.  Richardson's  ])lan. 


[Photo,  by  Rombiuh  &  Croene] 

Entrance  to  Bank  on  Fourth  Street,  August,  1906. 


Mr.  .\.  I  ».  l'",lzncr.  of  L'incinii.ati,  at  that  time  in  the  ser\ice  of  .\Ir.  Rich- 
ardson, had  much  to  do  with  the  pre])aration  of  the  working  plans  and  was 
appointed  by  him  to  sn])er\  ise  the  erection  ol  the  building.  Ujion  completion 
of  the  foundations  .\lr.  h'Jzner  decided  to  enter  U])on  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  was  succeeded  li_\-  .Mr.  I).  C.  Hale,  who  as  representative  of  the 
architects  was  in  constant  attendance  u])on  the  work  until  its  coni])letion. 

t)0 


History  of  Chamber  of  Commerck  Buildin'g 

On  the  completion  of  the  working  plan^  and  specifications  in  January, 
1886,  proposals  for  the  erection  of  the  biiihling  as  an  entirety  and  for  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  the  work  were  in\ited.  and  opened  May  17,  1886.  but  as 
the  lowest  of  these  largely  exceeded  the  estimates,  the  bids  were  deemed 
unsatisfactory  by  the  Board  and  were  rejected.  That  the  work  might  jiroceed 
without  further  delay,  bids  were  taken  for  the  excavations  and  foundations, 
including  the  demolition  of  the  old  Post  Office  building.  This  wurk  was 
awarded  to  Patrick  Murray,  a  local  contractor,  at  SviO.ZSl,  which  aniovuit  was 
later  reduced  by  changes  in  the  specifications. 

While  this  work  was  progressing,  proi)osals  were  again  in\ited,  and 
received  December  21,  1886,  for  the  erection  of  the  entire  superstructure  above 
the  foundations,  and  the  contract  for  this  work,  not  including  the  stone  carv- 
ing, was  awarded  under  date  of  Januar\-  1.  1887,  tn  tlie  firm  of  Norcoss  Broth- 
ers, of  Worcester,  Mass.,  at  their  bid  of  $526,446,  the  contract  calling  for  the 
completion  of  the  building  in  eighteen  munths  fmni  the  date  they  were  given 
possession. 


Main  Entrance.     To  Corridors,  Stairways  and  Elevators. 


The  active  work  on  the  foundations  began  May  31.  1886,  with  the  demo- 
lition of  the  abandoned  Post  Office  building.  This  work  and  the  laying  of 
the  massive  foundations  were  completed  and  ready  for  the  superstructure 
about  May  1,  1887,  when  the  contractors  for  this  work  took  charge.  The 
corner  stone  was  laid  June  18,  1887,  and  fri.im  tliat  date  the  work  atlvanced 
rapidly,  and  the  building  was  completed  and  thrown  open  to  the  members 
and  the  public  on  the  occasion  of  its  dedication,  January  29  and  30,  1889. 
The  period  of  actual  construction  of  the  building  and  fotmdations  approxi- 
mated two  years  and  eight  months.  There  were  no  serious  delays  or  inter- 
ruptions on  account  of  strikes  or  other  disturbances. 

6i 


CixcixxATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

The  Corner  Stone — The  Copper  Box. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  building,  aruinul  wliich  is  clustered  the  seuliincnt 
and  traditions  of  the  structure,  was  laid  on  Saturday,  June  18,  1887,  at  11  :3(1 
a.m.  There  were  no  fcjrmal  exercises  prepared  for  the  occasion.  In  the 
absence  from  the  city  of  President  nicken!("ii)er  b'ir^t  \  ice-President  Levi  C. 
Goodale  officiated  as  rejiresentative  of  tlie  P.nard  of  Directors,  and  Messrs. 
llenrv  C.  Trncr  and  janu-  M.  ('.lemi,  nicnibcrs  (if  the  Real  Estate  i'.d.-ird, 
and  Colonel  Sidney  D.  .Maxwell.  Superintendent  c.f  the  Chamber  of  Cnni- 
merce,  were  the  of^ciats  in  attenrlance. 

The  corner  stone  was  laid  in  the  extericir  wall  of  the  round  corner  ot  the 
building,  facing  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets,  and  immediately  under  the  -.ill 
stone  of  the  center  window,  and  was  just  above  the  sidewalk  Ie\el.  The  stone 
measured  4  feet  long,  2  feet  8  inches  high,  and  2  feet  8  inches  in  the  wall,  and 
into  the  top  of  the  stone  a  hole  was  cut,  14  inches  square  by  10  inches  deep, 
to  receive  the  copper  box.  On  the  outside  face  of  the  stone  was  a  chiseled 
panel,  into  which  the  date  had  l)een  cut  in   Kouian  lettering. 


MHIMPii."     "  .   --W:  .'■  l*dir:^ 

aiP-^.»  -^j 

^moB(M 

urU^^p 

H^Q 

ivw-'i^HJittHil 

^m 

J^^^te^Hi^^t.strf-'tM^^iAtflMiHftdidH 

1^^^^^ 

^!ss^^^^*^^ 

^Hfli^^ 

The  Cornerstone. 


Following  the  tire  of  lanuary  10.  1911,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  ]iarted 
with  its  ownershij)  in  the  pro]ierty.  and  the  building  was  demolished  to  make 
way  for  another  strncture  to  be  erected  upon  the  site  b}-  the  Union  Central 
Fife  Insurance  Company,  into  which  new  building  the  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
bv  virtue  of  an  agreement  with  th.at  company  dated  Julv  15,  1911,  took  per- 
manent quarters  tjn  the  second  and  third  floors,  under  a  form  of  lease  termin- 
able at  the  o])tion  of  either  ]:)arty  to  the  agreement  at  tlie  end  of  any  ten-year 
period,  upon  the  pa\nieiit  by  the  lnsur;ince  Company  to  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  the  sum  of  SOOO.OOO,  the  lixed  value  oi  the  leasehold. 

']"he  corner  stone  was  removed  from  the  walls  of  the  old  building  Thurs- 
day laniiarv  18,  1912.  and  the  copper  bo.K  imbedded  in  it  for  nearly  twenty- 
live  years  was  taken  out  intact.  The  box  measures  13j2  by  13>i  by  9)-2 
inches,  and  contains  annual  reports  and  ])rinte(l  documents  of  the  Chamber, 
records  of  an  historical  character,  jiapers  and  documents  of  the  time  relating 
to  the  commercial  and  linancial  ;icti\ities  of  the  city. 

62 


HisTORV  01-"  Chambkk  (IF  C(iMMi:i«'K  BriLiHXG 

To  preserve  this  xaluahle  relic  tdr  all  time,  the  eci])per  Ixix,  with  its  con- 
tents tindisturbed,  was  subsequently  placed  in  a  niche  built  in  the  walls  of  the 
present  Exchange  Hall  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  cm  the  second  floor  of 
the  new  building  of  the  Union  Central  Life  Insurance  Ccim[)any.  where  it 
now  reposes.  Its  resting  place  is  marked  with  a  brdiize  tablet  apprdpriately 
inscribed. 


[Phnln.  by    L.mglfy] 

Bronze  Tablet  on  wall  of  Exchange  Hall.     Contains  Copper  Bo.\  from  old  Corner -stone. 

Design  by  C.  J.  Barnhorn. 

The  Cincinnati  Price  Current.  Mr.  Charles  B.  .Murra\.  eilitur  .and  pro- 
prietor, in  its  weekly  issue  of  Januar_\'  24,  1889.  in  cunnnentinL;  upnn  the  then 
approaching  dedication  of  the  building,  said  : 

"Tlie  membership  of  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  may 
congratulate  itself  on  securing  so  desirable  a  place  for  its  business 
purposes,  as  also  upon  the  comparative  ease  with  which  the  necessary 
funds  were  secured,  and  tlie  moderate  encumbrance  of  indebtedness 
remaining  to  burden  the  future.  Not  only  is  the  building  an  eminently 
desirable  one  for  its  utility  of  arrangement,  but  it  is  a  grand  monument 
of  the  progressive  enterprise  of  a  thrifty  community,  and  as  such 
it  will  lie  contemplated  with  special  pride  tiy  every  citizen.  The  mem- 
bership of  the  Chamber  represents  every  interest  of  importance  in  this 
great  cominercial  and  manufacturing  center,  not  alone  confined  to 
industrial  callings,  but  embracing  the  political  and  economic  elements, 
art  and  music,  and  everything  that  goes  to  make  it  a  thoroughly  liberal 
and  representative  institution  in  the  community." 


63 


CiN'cixNATi  Astronomical  Socikty 
l-'oUowing  arc  the  proi^Tains  of  the  dcdicati  iry  exercises: 

Tuesday  Evening,  January  29,  1889,  8  to  11  O'Clock. 

Pronu-nade  Concert  by  tlie  C'iiicinnati  t'lraiid  (  )rchestra,   Michael  Brand, 
Conductor,  lleld  in  the   I'.xchan.i,^'   ll;ill  of  the  New  lUiilding. 

Wednesday  Morning,  January  30,  1889. 

Procession  of  Alenihers  frcni  I  lie  ( )ld  Exchange  to  the  N'ew  Pinilding, 

lU  O'clock  A.  :\I. 

Musical   Program   hy   the  Orchestra,   from    10  to    11   O'Clock  A.M. 

Formal  Exercises  of  Dedication,  held  in   l-'xchange  llall. 

at  11   O'clock  A.  Al. 

Call  to  Order By  President  Thomas  Morrison. 

.Music. 

Prayer By  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw.  D.D. 

Music. 

Address B_\-    llem-y    C.   I'rner,  on   hehalf  nf   ihe    Board 

of  l-ieal  Estate  Managers,  on   |)eli\ering  the  Keys  of  the  New  Building. 

Music. 

l-vesponse  and   Reception   of  the   Ke_\s 

B\-  Thomas  .Morrison,  President  of  the  Chamljer  of  Coiumerce. 

Dedicatory  Hymn    (wurds  composed  by  Col.  Sidney   D.  .Maxwell), 

.\ir,  "Old  Hundred" Orchestra  and  Audience. 

(  )ration By  General   I-'.d  ward  E.  Noyes. 

Music. 
Address  of  Welcoiue  to  \'isiting  Representatives  from  i  >ther  Commercial 

Bodies B\   Ih  in.  Amor  ."^m  it  h,  jr..  .\la\  <>r  of  Cincinnati. 

Music. 
Addresses  by  X'isiting  Delegates. 

Music. 
Adjournment. 

Wednesday  Evening,  January  30,  1889. 

Banquet  at  Scottish  Rite  Cathedral,  8  O'Clock  ]'.  M. 

Program  of  Toasts. 

Toastmaster,  C.  M.  HoUoway. 

The  Cincinnati    Chamber   of   Commerce 

Response  by  President  Thomas  Morrison 

The  Northwest Response  by  Mr.  John  Johnston,  of  Milwaukee 

The  South Response  by  Mr.  George  S.  Kinney,  of  Nashville 

The  West Response  by  Mr.  Charles  H.  Dodd,  of  Portland,  Oregon 

New  York Response  by  Mr.  B.  S.  Clark,  of  New  York 

Chicago. .Response  by  Mr.  George  F.  Stone,  Secretary,  Chicago  Board  of  Trade 

Baltimore Resiionsc  by  Mr.  William  S.  Young,  of  Baltimore 

St.  Louis Response  by  .Mr.  .Alex.  Euston,  of  St.  Louis 

After  the  regular  program  of  toasts,  Air.  J.  C.  Kl.itider.  being  called  upon, 
extended  greetings  froiu  the  city  of  Philadel])hia.  and  there  were  also  brief 
informal  remarks  by  General  Alichacl  Ryan,  lion.  Samnel  E.  Hunt,  Ex-Gov- 
ernor R.  B.  Bullock  of  Georgia,  Col.  L.  C.  \\'eir.  Chairman  Banquet  Com- 
mittee, and  Air.  E.  N.  Roth,  of  the  St.  Nicholas  1  Intel,  the  b.-mquet  caterer. 

64 


History  of  Chamber  of  Commkrce  Building' 


The  Dedication  of  the  Building. 


O  God.  our  Father,  now  we  raisu 
Our  hearts  to  Thee,  in  grateful  praise, 
For  all  the  mercies   from  above, 
Which  Thou  hast  sent  us  in  Thy  love. 

In  all  this  house,  help  us  to  see 
How  Thou  dost  frame  our  destiny: 
And   let   Thy   benediction    come. 
And  rest  upon  this  business  home. 


Within  these  walls  of  strength  and  grace, 
Alay  honor  find  a  dwelling  place; 
May  justice  reign;  may  truth  abide; 
May  right  prevail  and  wisdom  guide. 

Hear  us.  our  Father,  as  we  pray 
For  blessings  on  our  work  to-day; 
Bless  membership  and  guest,  and  lie 
Our    help    throughout    eternity. 

Words  Composed  by  Sidney  D.  Maxwell. 


Exchange  Floor,  1890. 


lCuurli-s\  of  Anu-rkiiii  Ai-chiU,t.  .V.   I'.l 


The  dedicatory  exercise.'^  which  marked  the  completion  and  opening  of 
the  new  Iniilding  began  with  a  promenade  concert  and  reception  to  members 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  invited  guests  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday, 
January  29,  1889,  and  continued  the  next  day,  Wednesday.  January  30,  with 
formal  ceremonies  of  dedication,  which  took  place  in  the  Exchange  Hall, 
commencing  at  11  a.m.,  this  having  been  preceded  by  a  procession  of  mem- 
bers who  marched  from  former  quarters  in  the  Pike  Building,  headed  b\-  a 
band  of  music,  to  the  new  building.  The  dedication  concluded  the  s;ime 
evening  with  an  elaborate  banquet  held  in  the  large  dining  hall  of  the  Scot- 
tish Rite  Cathedral,  on  Broadway. 

While  marked  with  simplicity  and  dignity,  the  dedication  of  the  building, 
taken  in  its  entirety,  was  withotit  question  the  most  elaborate  and  imposing 
function  of  this  character  which  had  ever  taken  place  in  the  history  of  Cin- 
cinnati. At  the  evening  reception  and  promenade  concert  a  large  and  notable 
gathering  of  people   was   present.      On    this   memoraljle   occasion   the   gre;it 

65 


CixcixNATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

buildiiii^  was  lij^hled  frDiu  within  l)y  its  Ihousaiuls  of  electric  lii,rhts,  and  with- 
out by  reflectors  and  calcium  lights  placed  on  the  surroundinsf  buildincfs.  The 
entire  arrans^emcnts  were  admirably  planned  and  executed  ;  the  interior  deco- 
rations and  illnminatit)n  of  the  fi;raiul  Exchange  Hall  were  brilliant  and  beauti- 
fid.  It  was  an  event  in  the  commercial  and  social  life  of  Cincinnati,  a  scene  of 
great  animation  and  beauty,  and  one  which  was  deepl\-  impressed  U])on  the 
memory  of  those  who  were  present. 

The  singing  of  the  hymn  was  an  iniprcssi\c  e\ent.  The  air  was  familiar 
to  all.  It  was  a  grand  chorus  of  two  thousand  male  voices,  such  an  one  as  is 
heard  but  once  in  a  lifetime.  A  melody,  made  sacred  by  many  generations' 
use,  not  only  filled  the  spacious  hall  and  its  approaches,  but  swept  in  great 
volume  to  the  crowded  thoroughfares  below,  and  the  passing  throng  paused 
to  listen,  and  the  windows  of  the  adjacent  buildings  were  suddenly  peopled 
with  interested  hearers,  as  the  business  men  of  a  great  city  solemnly  recog- 
nized God  in  his  dealings  with  men,  and  invoked  his  blessing  on  the  work  of 
their  hands  ami  <in  themselves. 


1  lidniiiril.  'i'tmcs  ."^Inr.] 

Rostrum  of  'Change,  Chas.  W.  Roth,  Presiding.     Lincoln  Celebration,  Feb.  12,  1909. 

The  declicatorv  oratii.in  (leli\ere(l  by  General  Ivdward  1'".  Noyes,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, formerly  Governor  of  Ohio — distinguished  soldier  and  diplomat — was 
of  exceptional  beauty  and  eloquence.  His  ojjening  remarks  with  reference 
to  the  building  and  its  destiny,  had  a  singular  a])pri  ipri.nteness  to  our  subject, 
and  we  c]Uote  them  in  full : 

"Wc  are  assembled  to  formally  dedicate  to  the  uses  for  wliich 
it  was  intended  this  magnificent  Palace  of  Industry — this  Temple  of 
Trade  and  Commerce — to  be  devoted  henceforth  to  the  business  inter- 
ests of  Cincinnati.  We  rejoice  in  a  buildin.a;  ample  in  its  proportions, 
massive  in  its  structure,  perfect  in  its  adaptation,  beautiful  and  .i?rand 
in  architecture — at  once  a  monument  to  its  patrons  and  builders  and  a 
pride  to  all  our  citizens. 

"May  the  hand  of  time  be  tenderly  laid  upon  it,  and  the  fingers  of 
the  years  touch  it  trently;  may  no  earthquake  shatter  its  walls;  may  no 
violence  assail  it;  may  it  be  spared  the  consuming  fires;  and  may  it 
remain  a  joy  and  a  blessin.g  to  the  .generations  whose  Inisy  feet  will 
pass  in  and  out  its  portals  long  after  we  who  are  here  today  shall  have 
been  called  to  rest  with  the  fathers." 
The  dedication  of  the  building  was  attended  by  rejaresentatives  from  the 
leading  Chambers  oi  Commerce  and  Boards  of  Trade,  and  by  delegates  from 
cities  and  States,  besides  many  eminent  and  distinguished  guests.    Numerous 
letters  and  telegrams  of  congratulation  were  received,  froin  the  President  of 
the  L'nited  States,  the  President  and  X'ice-President-elect.  Cabinet  members, 

66 


History  ok  Chamkek  ok  Commkrck  Biiujixc 


Senators.    Congressmen,    (rovernors    of    several    Stales.    Ivxcliange    officials, 
absent  friends,  and  distinguished  civilians  from  all  parts  of  the  comitry. 

Great  credit  must  be  gixen  to  the  Executive  Committee  in  general  charge 
of  the  dedication,  as  well  as  to  the  sul)-c(immittees,  fcir  the  success  and  eclat 
of  this  notable  occasion.  The  Executive  Cnmmittee  was  composed  cif  the 
following  members:  Charles  11.  Flach,  Chairman. 

L.  H.  Brooks.  Luther  Parker. 

.\.  T.  Cidshorn.  Thomas  Morrison. 

W  illiam  Henr\'  Davis.         Lowe  Emerson. 

Charles  Fleischmann. 

C.  M.  Holloway. 

R.  .\.  Dvkins. 


S.  F.  Dana. 
Earl  \\'.  Stimscin. 
L.  C.  Weir. 
M.  E.  Ingalls. 
Richard  Smith. 
Henrv  C.  L'rner. 


Richard  Dymond. 
Brent  .Arnold. 
Sidney  D.  ATaxwell. 


Courtcsij.  D,ni.  li.  a, 


'Change  as  seen  from  Visitors'  Gallery 
Looking  toward  the  South  Windows.    About  1905. 

While  niit  specially  emphasized,  there  was  a  dual  character  tn  the  dedi- 
catory exercises  in  that,  as  well  as  celebrating  the  comjiletion  and  opening  of 
the  new  building,  they  also  marked  the  virtual  comjdetion  of  the  fiftieth  aimi- 
versary  of  the  founding  of  the  Chamber  of  Cnmmerce,  which  traces  its  origin 
to  the'year  1839. 

A  special  feature,  planned  by  the  Incal  railroad  companies  for  the  enter- 
tainment of  the  invited  guests  and  members,  was  an  excursion  over  the  local 
terminals  and  around  the  city  to  points  of  interest  on  the  various  lines,  and 
included  a  visit  to  Covington  and  Newport,  recrossing  the  river  over  the  newly 
finished  bridge  of  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Railway,  thence  to  Ivorydale  and 
return  U_)  the  city. 

67 


ClN'CIXNATI    ASTKONO.MICAI.    SoClKTV 


|K.  jS.  Corel 
John  Carlisle. 
Elected  1883.     Re-elected  1886. 

Served  seven  years. 


I'hiito  by  Landy] 
John  Kyle    "Captain"'. 
Elected  1884.     Re-elected  1888. 
Served  to  date  of  death,  March  20, 
1889.      Total   service,   four   years, 
six  months. 


W.  W.  Peabody. 

Pres., 1883-4,  1884-5.  Pres.Ex-officio 

of  Board.    Served  two  years. 


The  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers. 

Tlie    ISoard  of   Real   J'^stalc   .Managers  wa.s 

iTcalfd    under    the    cude    of    Jj_\-I<aws    of    the 

Chamber     of     Cmnmeree    adopted    March    1.5. 

1SS.1.     The  Board  was  composed  of  five  mem- 

)ers,  and  included  the  President  of  the  Cham- 

)er,    whii   was   ex-ofiicio   the   ])residing  officer 

I 'I  tlu-  r.iiard  during  his  term  of  office,  and  four 

"ther  nieniliers.  elected  for  a  term  of  four  }ears. 

iiiK-    inenil)(,r    being    elected    annually    In    lill 

\acancies  as  they  occurred. 

To  this  P>oard  was  entrusted  ami  delegated 

(By-Paws,  Article  \'I),  the 

"General  snpcrvisii)n,  manaMCiuent  and 
control  of  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  real 
estate  that  is  or  may  l)c  owned  Ijy  the  Asso- 
ciation and  the  buildiiifr  to  lie  erected  there- 
on (except,  after  constrnction.  snch  parts 
i>f  said  bnilding  as  may  be  occupied  by  the 
Association  for  its  own  uses),  and  of  tlie 
Real    l*'.statc  and   Building   Fund." 

It  was  further  enipi  iwered 

".At  its  own  discretion  to  procure  and 
a|)prove  plans  lor.  and  estimates  of  the  cost 
I  if,  the  construction  of  the  bnilding  to  be 
erected  upon  the  real  estate  that  is  or  may 
be  owned  by  the  .Association." 

And  if  the  estimate  of  the  cost  of  the  btiild- 
ing  exceeded  the  amount  of  the  Building  l-'und 
it  was  the  duty  of  the  Board  to  devise  some 
tinancial  ])lan  for  raising  the  aninunt  necessary 
anil  submit  the  same  fur  the  appro\;il  (if  the 
Assi  iciatii  'ii. 

In  other  words,  the  entire  cuntrol  and  man- 
agement of  the  real  estate,  the  securing  of 
plans  and  selection  of  an  architect,  the  making 
of  contracts,  the  erection  nf  the  building,  the 
tinancial  affairs  of  this  department,  and  the 
])ermanent  care  of  the  structure  after  its  erec- 
tion were  all  vesteil  in  the  Board  of  Real  Estate 
Al.anagers.  Each  member  of  the  Board  was 
tmder  bond  in  the  sum  of  $50,000  and  served 
without  compensation. 

.Vt  the  annual  election  in  September,  1883, 
the  first  Board  of  Real  Estate  ^Managers  to 
take  hold  under  the  newly  adopted  By-Laws 
was  elected.  Tliis  an<l  the  subsequent  Boards 
from  1883-84  to  1890-91.  inclusive,  were  com- 
l)osed  as  follows : 


68 


History  of  Chambi-r  of  Commkrce  Building 


The  Members  of  the  Board  by  Years. 

1883-84 
W.   \V.   Pcab.Kly.   President. 
Henry  C.   L'nier  (fi:>ur  years). 
John  CarUsle   (three  years). 
A.   Hickenlooper   (two  years). 
Seth   C.   Foster   (one  year). 

1884-85 
W.   W.   Pealiody,   President. 
John   Kyle    (four  years). 
Henry   C.   Urner    (three  j-ears). 
John   Carlisle   (two  years). 
A.  Hickenlnnper  (one  3'ear). 

1885-86 
Edwin   Stevens,    President. 
James  M.   (ilenn   (four  years). 
John    Kyle    (three    years). 
Henry   C.   Urner   (two  years). 
John    Carlisle    (one   j'ear). 

1886-87 
A.   Hickenlooper.   President. 
John   Carlisle   (four  years). 
James    M.    Glenn    (three   years). 
John  Kyle   (two  years). 
Henry    C.    Urner    (one    year). 

1887-88 
Levi   C.   Goodale,   President. 
Henry   C.   Urner   (four  years). 
John   Carlisle   (three  years). 
James   M.   Glenn   (two  years). 
John    Kyle    (one   year). 

1 888-89 
Thomas   Morrison,    President. 
*John   Kyle   (four  years). 
Henry  C.   Urner   (tliree  years). 
John    Carlisle    (two   years). 
James   M.   (ilenn   (one  year). 

1889-90 
Lee   H.   Brooks,   President. 
Samuel   Bailey,  Jr.   (four  years). 
C.   M.   Holloway   (three  years). 
Henry  C.    Urner   (two  years). 
John   Carlisle   (one  year). 

t 1890-91 
Lowe  Emerson.  President. 
John    Grubb    (four   years). 
Samuel  Bailey,  Jr.  (three  years). 
C.   M.   Holloway   (two  years). 
Henry  C.  Urner  (one  year). 

*John    Kyle    died    March    2(1,    1889, 
C.    M.    Holloway   elected    to    lill    the 

vacancy  April  23,  1889. 
fBoard  of  Real  Estate  Managers 

abolished  May  20.  1891. 

6q 


1  H'-njiimin  Stitilin] 


Henry  C.  Urner. 

Elected  1883.     Re-elected  1887. 

Served  eight  years. 


[  Hi'ujiiyniti  Studio] 

James  M.  Glenn. 
Elected  1885.   Served  four  years. 


Andrew  Hickenlooper. 
President,  1886-1887.    Elected  1883. 
Served  two  years.     President  Ex- 
officio  for  a  year.    Total  service  of 
three  years. 


ClXClXXATI    ASTKONOMK'AU    SllCIKTV 


[  liiniiimi)!  Stlliiio] 


Captain  C.  M.  Holloway, 
Elected  April  23,  1889,  to  fill  vacancy 
caused    by    death    of    John    Kyle. 
Served  two  years,  five  months. 


John  Grubb. 
Elected  1890,  four-year  term.    Serv- 
ed one  year,  to  the  time  when  the 
Board  was  abolished. 


Edwin  Stevens. 
President,  1885-1886.    President  Ex- 
officio  for  the  year. 


After  the  liuililiuL;'  was  ci  uniilcU-d  and  U-n- 
aiitcd,  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  members  of 
the  J'.oard  of  1890-91  that  its  mission  haviny 
been  fidTdled.  and  its  duties  performed,  there 
was  no  lonj^'er  an_\'  imjjortant  reason  for  the 
further  enntinuance  nf  the  i'mard  d  Keal 
Instate  Manaffers,  iK.tw  ith^landinj^-  llie  \>y- 
Law.s  gave  the  I'.M.ird  a  iiermanent  existence. 
Ibnvever,  on  its  own  reeommendation,  the 
.\ssociation,  at  a  s|)ecial  election  held  May  20. 
1891.  voted  to  amend  the  By-Laws,  wherel)y 
the  P.oard  of  l\e;il  l-'.statc  Managers  wa.s  there- 
after alnilislu'd  and  its  ofliciai  existence  ended. 

I  )f  the  \ariou>  Hoards  of  Real  Estate  Man- 
agefN  which  served  through  the  ])eriod  of 
nearly  eight  years,  from  ISS,^  to  1891,  it  is  Imt 
justice  til  reciird  tlie  iiuahiable  ancl  distin- 
guislied  serxices  rendered  the  Cliamber  of 
Commerce  by  the  officials  and  nieml)ers  who 
coiu])osed  these  Boards.  'i'Jieir  i)ainstaking 
and  conscientious  labors  in  the  interest  of  the 
Associatimi  were  marked  witii  rare  fidelity  and 
de\-otiiin  ti'  the  trusts  and  responsii)itities 
which  rested  ii]iiin  them. 

in  the  exacting  .-ind  difficult  work  of  the 
Hoard,  with  its  multiplicity  of  intricate  details, 
the  greatest  h.irmony  and  unanimity  of 
thougjtt  and  action  prevailed.  No  body  ot 
men  O'ldd  lia\e  been  actuated  by  fmcr  moti\es, 
;ind  none  more  loyal  and  <le\'oted  to  the  work 
which  had  l)een  confided  to  them.  They  were 
indeed  wortlix'  of  the  large  measure  of  jiraise 
and  a])])recialion  wliich  they  received. 

('.i\ing  ])ul)iic  expression  of  its  thanks  and 
appreciation  of  tlie  great  services  of  this  Pxiard, 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  at  a  special  meet- 
ing of  the  membership  held  .May  21.  1891, 
adopted  by  unanimous  vote  the  following  pre- 
amble and  resolution: 

iriiii-i'tis.  The  Cincinnati  Chanilicr  of 
Commerce  and  Merchants'  Exchange,  ))y  a 
vote  of  tlie  .Association  on  the  20th  instant, 
so  amoiuU-d  its  By-La\ys  as  to  terminate, 
on  its  own  recommendation,  the  existence  of 
the  Board  of  Real  Instate  Managers;  tlicre- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Cincinnati  Chamlicr 
of  Commerce  and  Merchants'  Exchange  de- 
sires to  publicly  recognize  the  ability,  fidel- 
ity and  courage,  with  which  the  various 
Boards  of  Real  Estate  Managers,  since  tlie 
organization  of  the  same  in  1883,  have  per- 
formed their  responsible,  laborious  and  dili- 
calc  duties. 

Rrsdivcd.  That  this  .Association  tenders 
its  profound  thanks  to  Henry  C.  Urner,  John 
Carlisle,  John  Kyle,  James  M.  Glenn,  W.  W. 
I'eabody,  .\.  Hickcnlooper,  Seth  C.  Foster, 
Edwin  Stevens.  Levi  C.  Goodale,  Thomas 
Morrison,  Lee  H.  Brooks,  Charles  M.  Hol- 
loway, Samuel  Bailey.  Jr..  Lowe  Emerson 
and  John  Crubb,  who,  either  during  the 
entire  existence  of  the  Board,  or  in  part, 
have    lieeii    memluTS    of   the    same;    together 

70 


Hisnmv  ok  Chamukk  oi'  Commkucf.  Builuinc 


with  Mr.  George  S.  Bradbury,  tlie  cainiUIe 
and  faithful  clerk  of  the  Board,  for  the  self- 
sacrificing  labors  througii  which  this  body 
has  been  provided  with  a  l)usincss  lionic 
W'hich,  in  its  arcliitectural  Ijeauty,  usefulness, 
and  appointments,  is  consiiicuous  among  the 
great    commercial    l)uililings    ol     the    world. 

The  Personnel  of  the  Board ;  an  Appreciation. 

Of  the  personnel  nf  tjie  Buard  of  Real 
Estate  Managers,  most  of  whom  have  ended 
their  life's  work,  we  make  hrief  nientiim, 
mainly  for  the  jnirpose  of  iloiiig  honor  to  the 
meinory  of  those  members  of  the  Iloanl  whose 
names  are  intimately  associated  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  bnilding. 

Conspicnous  in  the  erection  of  the  bnilding, 
from  its  inception  to  its  completion,  stands 
the  figure  of  Henry  C.  Urner,  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Atanagers  dnr- 
ing  the  entire  period  of  its  existence.  From 
the  initial  steps  toward  the  erection  of  the 
building,  through  years  of  uncertainty  and  dis- 
couragement, Air.  Urner  was  a  loyal  friend 
and  worker  for  the  success  of  the  enterprise. 
When  a  fund  was  needed  to  erect  the  building, 
after  the  Chamber  had  accpiired  the  site,  it  was 
Mr.  Urner's  genius  and  resourceful  mind 
which  deviserl  and  formtilated  the  financial 
plan,  by  the  issuance  of  meml)ership  certili- 
cates,  which  plan  established  a  financial  stand- 
ing and  iTiade  possible  the  early  completion  of 
the  building. 

Mr.  Urner  was  a  man  of  high  ideals,  of 
cominanding  ability  and  force,  of  rare  artistic 
temperament,  and  an  earnest,  aggressive  work- 
er in  the  many  important  duties  and  responsi- 
bilities of  the  Board.  He  took  a  deep  interest 
and  personal  pride  in  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce Building,  and  brought  to  his  task  a  lo^■e 
and  devotion  to  this  great  undertaking  which 
was  so  close  to  his  heart.  The  name  of  Henry 
C.  Urner  is  indelilily  written  upon  the  reccjrds 
of  the  Chamber  of  Cijmmerce  and  its  building. 

In  fitting  recognition  of  his  distinguished 
services  to  the  Chamber,  Mr.  Urner  was  unani- 
mously elected  to  honorary  life  membership 
September  14,  1888,  and  in  the  issuance  of 
Certificates  of  Membershi])  in  1S82,  which 
formed  the  basis  of  the  financial  prograni 
which  he  originated,  he  was  presented  \\ith 
the  first  certificate  issued  under  that  system, 
"Xumber  1,"  in  appreciation  of  this  \aluable 
service. 

Mr.  Urner  died  A])ril  17,  190S.  in  the  se\- 
enty-ninth  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  John  Carlisle,  who  served  as  a  niemhcr 
of  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers  from  its 
organization  in  1883  to  1890,  a  term  of  se\  en 
years,  through  the  active  period  of  iirep;ir,-ition 


Seth  C.  Foster. 

Elected  member  of  Board  1883. 

Served  one  year,  1883-1884. 


Levi  C.  Goodale. 
President,  1887-1888. 
President  ex-officio  for  the  year. 


[  lifujtiwitl  Stiiilio] 

Lowe  Emerson. 
President,  1890-1891.    President  ex- 
officio  for  one  year. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Socikty 


;/•    .1/    .s,,m. 
Thomas  Morrison. 
President,  1888-1889.    President  ex- 
officio  for  one  year. 


Lee  H.  Broolcs. 

President,  1889-1890.    President  ex- 

officio  for  one  year. 


I  Bt'Jijiimitt  ^ttiiiiv] 

Samuel  Bailey,  Jr. 

Elected  1889  for  four  years.    Served 

two  years  until  the  abolition 

of  the  Board. 


ami  construction,  was  tlie  titular  Secretary  of 
the  Board  ilurint,^  that  time.  Mr.  Carlisle  was 
a  geiitlenian  of  ripe  judgment,  of  the  highest 
business  ability  and  qualifications,  faithful  to 
his  trust,  an  earnest,  con.scientious  worker  in 
this  field  of  activity  and  usefulness.  He  was 
highly  esteemed  and  resjiected,  and  recognized 
as  a  most  valuable  and  efficient  member  of  the 
Board,  (jreatly  lamented  by  his  friends  and 
associates,  Mr.  Carlisle  died  .\ugust  31,  1903, 
aged  66  years. 

Mr.  James  M.  Glenn  became  a  member  of 
liie  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers  in  Septem- 
ber, 1885,  and  served  with  distinction  for  four 
years,  throughout  the  active  period  of  the 
intilding's  construction  to  its  final  completion. 
Mr.  (ilcnn  was  an  earnest,  painstaking,  indus- 
trious menil)cr  of  the  Board,  who  brought  to 
his  work  an  enthusiasm  and  energy  which  was 
inspiring.  He  was  a  man  of  unusual  resource 
and  commanded  a  fund  of  technical  and  prac- 
tical inforiuation  of  building  affairs,  which 
pro\ed  of  great  advantage  and  value  in  the 
erection  of  the  liuildiug.  ]Mr.  Glenn's  services 
to  the  Chaml)er  and  the  Board  were  notable 
and  jiraiseworthy  and  reflected  great  credit 
u|)on  the  Association  as  well  as  upon  himself. 
.\s  a  mark  of  gratitude  and  appreciation  not 
only  for  this  ser\ice,  but  for  a  long  and  con- 
spicuous identity  with  the  affairs  of  the  Cham- 
ber and  the  city,  he  was  elected  in  1907  to 
honorary  life  membership.  Ripe  in  years, 
greatly  respected  as  a  member  and  a  citizen, 
Mr.  Glenn  pas.sed  away  December  4,  1911,  aged 
82  years  8  months. 

.\mong  the  members  of  the  Board  who 
ser\  cd  continuously  during  the  active  erection 
of  the  building  was  Captain  John  Kyle,  wdio 
entered  the  Board  in  September,  1884,  and 
served  through  one  term  of  four  years  and  had, 
been  re-elected  to  a  second  term  in  Septeml)er, 
1888.  when  he  was  taken  away  by  death  March 
20.  1889.  surviving  but  a  few  brief  months  after 
the  building  was  completed.  Captain  Kyle  was 
a  sincere,  able  member  of  the  Board  and  took 
a  just  pride  in  the  work  to  which  he  had  been 
called.  He  was  a  wise  counsellor,  a  man  of 
fine  business  attainments,  a  loyal  and  faithful 
friend  of  the  Chamber,  to  which  he  rendered  a 
service  worthy  of  deej)  appreciation. 

Of  the  other  members  of  the  Board,  all  of 
whom  served  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  with 
honor  and  distinction,  we  pay  our  tribute  of 
resjiect  to  the  names  of  Andrew  Hickenlooper, 
Seth  C.  Foster.  W.  W.  Peabody,  Edwin  Ste- 
vens, Levi  C.  Goodale,  Thomas  Morrison,  Lee 
H.  Brooks,  Samuel  Bailey.  Jr..  C.  M.  Holloway, 
Li_)we  I'jnerson  and  John  Grubb. 

72 


lo.  \ju.t'i,   rnuto.\ 

The  Iron  Framework  Supporting  the  Roof.     Rises  75  Feet  Above  the  Granite  Walls. 


Iron  Roof  Trusses,  From  Which  Three  Floors  Were  Suspended. 


Cincinnati  Astkonomicai,  Society 

The  Cost  of  the  Building. 

Contracts  for  Building  and  P^)undalions  (Carving  $29,780.60) $590,414.8o 

Architect's  Fees  and  Incidental  Expenses 37,072.30 

l'\irniture  and   Decorations   (Sundry   Contracts) 17,594.70 

l'',lectric  l,ii,dil  I'lant  and  Wirin.tf  of  Buiidiuij:  (Contract  and  ivxtras)      10,941  89 
Cas  and  Electric  l""i-xtures  ( Contract  and   ICxtras ) 10,650.27 

Cost  of  Building  and   I'.<|uipnient $672,674.05 

Real  Estate  (Post  Office  Lot ) lOO-OOCUX) 

Tcital  Cost — Lot.   r.uildinu  and    L(|nipnicnl $772,674.05 


SI 


^ff'^^^i'^"^"^^^^ 


^ 


\Plitjlo.  by  Longlcy.  ion] 

Fourth  Street  Window  Arches,  showing  details  of  stone-carving. 

LOCAL  AND  FOREIGH  CONTRACTORS.  SUB-CONTRACTORS,  ETC. 

Contractors — General  Contractors,  N'orcross  Bros.,  Worcester,  .Mass.;  Excavating  and 
Foundations.  Patrick  Murray;  Electric  Light  Plant  and  Wiring,  Brush  Electric  Co.,  Cleve- 
land; Gas  and  Electric  Fixtures,  Dodd,  Werner  iS;  Co.;  Furniture,  Fixtures  and  Decoration, 
Roht.  Mitchell  Furniture  Co.;  Carpets,  Rugs,  Curtains,  John  ShillitoCo.;  Chairs,  G.  Henshaw 
&:  Sons;  Stained  Glass, \'ollmer  iS;  Tomoor;  U.  S.  Mail  Chute,  Cutler  Mfg.  Co.,  Rochester,  N'.V. 

Sub-Contractors  under  Norcross  Bros.  Plumbing,  Gasfitting,  J.  G.  Murdock  &  Co.; 
Marble  \\ Ork,  James  McDonough,  Joseph  Foster;  Plastering,  Lawrence  (Jrace;  Passenger 
Elevators,  Hale  Elevator  Co.,  Chicago;  Steam  Heating,  Ventilation,  F.  Tudor,  Boston,  Mass. 
Boilers,  McUvain  &  Spiegel;  Furnaces,  Murphy  Iron  VVorks,  Detroit,  Mich.;  Pumps,  Laidlaw 
\-  Dunn  Co.;  Sidewalks,  Sidewalk  Lights,  Chas.  Kuhl  .Art.  Stone  Co.;  Tiling  (Floors),  Eureka 
Foundry  Co.;  Carving  (.Stone  and  Wood),  Evans  tV  Tombs,  Boston,  Mass.;  Speaking  Tubes, 
Electric  Bells,  .\.  Becker;    Skylights,  Witt  iV  Brown. 

Sub-Contractors  Who  Furnished  Material  — Iron-Steel   Work,  Trusses,  Carnegie  Co., 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  .Mitchell,  Tranter  Cv   Co.;    Brick,  Blair  I5rick  Co.;    Glass,  Wm.  Glenny  &•  Co.; 
Building  Hardware,  J.   li.  Schroder  lV  Co.,   Burditt  \-  Williams, 
(Elevator  Screens),  Fred.  J.  Meyers  Mfg.  Co.,  Covington,  Ky.; 
Lightning  Rods,  Cincinnati  firm. 

74 


Boston,  Mass.;    Brass  Work 
1-  ireprootiing,  Chicago  firm; 


History  of  Chamber  ok  Commkrcf,  Building 


The  Debt  Incurred  on  Account  of  the  Building. 

The  principal  obligation  of  the  Chamber  directly  connected  with  the  erec- 
tion of  the  building  was  the  bonded  debt  of  January  1,  1888,  for  $150,000 
Chamber  of  Ccmimerce  bonds,  which  were  issued  by  authority  of  the  Associa- 
tion, under  resolution  adopted  Decem1)er  24,  1886.  They  were  4  per  cent 
bonds,  in  denominations  of  $500  each,  and  were  redeemable  at  the  option  of 
the  Chamber  after  ten  years  from  date  and  payable  in  twenty  years  from  date, 
or  by  January  1,  1908;  the  interest  coupons  were  payable  semi-annually  on 
January  1  and  July  1.  The  bonds  were  signed  by  Levi  C.  Goodale,  President, 
and  William  E.  Hutton,  Secretary,  and  were  secured  by  a  first  mortgage  upon 
the  property  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets,  executed  to 
Henry  C.  Urner  as  Trustee  for  the  bondholders.  The  entire  issue  was  sold  to 
Albert  Netter,  banker,  of  Cincinnati,  at  jiar  and  accrued  interest. 


\Cimr!t-,y  ..'  Th,,>.  B.  Collicrl 

Bank  Room  Corner  Vine  and  Baker  Streets. 

The  Union  Savings  Bank  &  Trust  Co.  May  10,  1890,  to  January  1,  1901. 

The  Provident  Savings  Bank  and  Trust  Company. 

Leased  January  1,  1901,  for  ten  years.     Moved  to  Seventh  and  Vine,  Sept.  1010. 

To  defray  the  cost  of  car\-ing  and  furui^hinL;  of  the  building,  whicli  were 
not  included  in  the  original  estimates  and  for  which  no  financial  provision  had 
been  made,  authority  was  given  by  the  Board  of  Directors  in  March,  1889.  to 
increase  the  indebtedness  by  temporar}-  loans  not  to  exceed  in  amount  S75.000. 
the  members  of  the  Board  of  Real  Estate  Managers,  together  with  tlie  Presi- 
dent and  Vice-Presidents  of  the  Chamber,  to  give  promissory  notes  in  their 
individual  capacity  for  this  amotnit,  which  were  to  be  liquidated  out  of  the 
surplus  income  of  the  Association  as  rapidh'  as  ]ios>ible.  This  obligation  was 
known  as  the  floatinsj  debt  of  875,000. 


CixcixxATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

On  August  31,  1889.  the  outstanding  lial)ilitics  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce were : 

Chamber  of  Commerce  bonds  of  January  1,  1888,  total  issue 8150,000 

Floating  Debt  (Call  Loans) 75,000 

Total  Debt $225,000 

After  this  date  the  floating  debt  was  reduced  by  amounts  of  525,000  in 
1890  and  S30,000  in  1891,  and  paid  off  by  the  balance  of  $20,000  in  1892. 

On  August  31,  1892,  the  remaining  liability  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
was  the  outstanding  bonds  of  January  1,  ISSS,  §150.000.  And  this  was  the 
only  burden  of  indebtedness  left  for  the  future  to  care  for,  against  which  was 
the  new  building  and  the  lot  on  which  it  stood,  a  property  authoritatively 
valued  at  one  million  dollars. 


The  Glencaim  Restaurant. 
The  Misses  Stewart,  Proprietors. 
The  North  Basement  Rooms. 

The  Fire  of  January  10,  1911 — The  Destruction  of  the  Building. 

A  Valedictory. 

For  twenty-two  years  the  building  stood,  an  elucjuent,  glowing  expression 
in  stone  of  all  that  is  beautiful  and  dignified  in  architecture,  a  credit  to  the 
enterprise  and  the  spirit  of  its  builders,  a  monument  to  the  genius  of  the  great 
architect  who  designed  it. 

Overtaken  by  an  untimely  fatality,  with  a  destiny  unfulfilled,  this  beauti- 
ful structure,  the  achievement  of  years,  was  partly  destroyed  by  fire  and  col- 
lapse of  the  interior,  on  the  night  of  Tuesday,  January  10,  1911,  and  in  an 
incredibly  short  space  of  time  lay  prostrate  in  ruins. 

For  an  account  of  the  disaster  we  quote  from  the  annual  report  of  the 

Secretary  dated  January  16,  1911 : 

"The  fire  originated  on  the  seventh  floor  roar,  in  the  kitchen 
quarters  of  the  Business  Men's  CU;1>.  tenants  of  the  Ijuilding,  and  was 
discovered  about  7:30  o'clock  p.  ni.  Before  tlie  Fire  Department  could 
respond,  the  fire  spread  rapidly  and  communicated  with  the  attic  or 
eighth  floor,  which  was  also  partly  occupied  by  the  club.  In  some 
manner  the  fire  here  came  in  coiUact  with  the  vita!  parts  of  the  struc- 
tural iron  trusses,  which  held  the  upper  floors  of  the  building  in  sus- 

76 


History  of  Chambkr  oi-  Commkkck  Buiuhxg 

pension,  and,  according  to  the  theories  advanced,  the  trusses,  under 
the  effect  of  the  great  heat  to  which  they  were  exposed,  bent  and  con- 
tracted sufficiently  to  draw  away  from  their  wall  bearings  and  fall  in 
collapse,  carrying  all  before  them,  seven  of  the  fourteen  trusses  going 
down  in  the  destruction,  together  with  the  roof  and  the  greater  part 
of  the  interior  construction.  The  entire  exterior  walls,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  dormer  windows  on  the  V'ine  .Street  front,  were  left 
standing  intact.  Happily,  the  office  and  library  of  the  Chamber, 
located  in  the  Fourth  Street  end  of  the  liuilding,  were  untouched 
by  fire,  and  all  the  important  records  and  valuable  collection  of  books 
and  pamphlets  were  preserved. 

"A  deplorable  result  of  the  fire  was  the  loss  of  six  lives.  Two 
men  in  the  employ  of  the  building,  three  connected  with  tenants  of  the 
building,  and  one  a  reporter  on  a  morning  paper,  were  all  caught 
in  the  tailing  structure  and  went  down  to  their  doom. 

"The  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  suffered  a  heavy  financial  loss, 
which  has  not  yet  been  calculated.  The  building  was  of  magnificent, 
substantial  fireproof  construction,  and  the   prol)abiIily  of  its   destruc- 


[Coiirtt.i!/  o;  Brent  Anioltl] 


Office  of  General  Freight  Agent,  L.  &  N.  R.  R. 
Seventh  Floor,  Northeast  Corner,  No.  39. 

tion  by  fire  unthought  of.  As  a  result  the  line  of  insurance  was 
relativelj-  small  compared  to  the  loss  suffered.  The  insurance  carried 
on  the  building  was  $90,000,  on  furniture  and  fixtures  $5,000,  and  on 
boilers  and  machinery  §10.000,  an  aggregate  of  $105,000.  and  the 
destruction  of  the  building  will  represent  a  total  loss  from  an  insur- 
ance standpoint. 

"The  Chamber  of  Commerce  Building  was  the  pride  and  admira- 
tion of  all  Cincinnatians.  and  no  local  disaster  in  years  has  lieen 
accompanied  with  such  universal  sorrow  and  regret  as  the  burning 
of  our  beautiful  building.  Its  destruction  came  as  a  shock  to  the 
whole  community.  It  was  a  noble  structure,  built  of  enduring  granite, 
graceful  and  massive  in  outline,  enriched  with  carvings;  greatl)' 
admired  for  its  architectural  charm,  it  was  acknowledged  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  impressive  edifices  in  the  country." 

Immediately  following  the  fire  the  work  of  removing  the  wreckage  in  a 

search  of  the  bodies  buried  there,  went  on  uninterruptedly,  day  and  night. 

until  the  last  bodv  was  taken  from  the  ruins  the  twelfth  dav  after  the  fire. 


77 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Socikty 

The  adjustment  of  the  insurance,  based  updii  a  report  of  experts  a]i|Hjiiitc(l 
to  jointly  represent  the  underwriters  and  the  Chanil)er  in  estimaiinn'  thi'  proi)- 
erty  loss,  was  soon  eiTected  a>  a  total  loss,  and  the  full  .inioinil  of  tlu-  insur- 
ance, $105,000,  collected. 

Our  story  is  now  soon  ended.  FolUiwinj;^  the  rejiort  of  an  .\d\isory  Com- 
mittee, to  which  had  been  referred  the  several  (|uestions  whicli  confronted  the 
C'hamher  after  the  fire,  as  to  the  final  ami  wi^csl  disposition  to  he  made  of  the 
property,  several  alternative  propositions  were  ])repared  by  this  Committee 
and  submitted  to  a  referendum  xote  of  the  membership,  which  resulted  in  an 
expression  faxoraldc  to  the  leasinii:  of  the  iiro])iTty,  on  stipulated  terms,  to  such 
financial  interests  as  would  erect  a  new  imildiufi^  u])on  the  site  and  provide  for 
])erm;incnt  ((uarters  therein  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  this  was  the 
disposition  of  the  properly  as  finallv  eiVected  and  briefiy  rt'l;itcd  elsewhere  in 
this  sketch. 


[From  an  old  Photograph] 
The  Fifth  National  Bank,  1893-1904. 
West  half  of  ground  floor  front,  sublet  from  C.  H.  &  D.  R.  R.     Whole  ground  floor 
occupied  as  Joint  Railway  Offices  under  management  of  C.  H.  &  D.,  1889-1894. 


In  the  carrying  out  of  this  a.Ljreement  the  old  building  was  demol- 
ished to  make  way  for  a  new  one:  the  stroni;  and  graceful  walls  of  granite 
were  removed,  and  in  a  few  short  months,  liy  the  end  of  Fel)ruar\-,  1912,  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  Building  was  no  more. 

While  in  this  disposition  of  the  property  the  (|uestions  of  finance  and 
expediency  were  strongly  emphasized  and  ]da}ed  an  imj)ortant  part  in  the 
final  determination,  yet  there  was  a  well  defined  opposition  to  the  course 
adopted,  many  members  favoring  the  rebuilding  of  the  structure  on  modern 
lines,  which  was  held  as  feasible  and  pr;ictic;ible  from  lioth  an  artistic  and 
architectural,  as  well  as  a  commercial,  standpoint. 


History  of  Chamber  ok  Commerck  Building 


By  many  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  citizens  of  our  city, 
the  tearing  down  of  the  old  building,  was  jjrofoundly  deplored.  In  the  o])inion 
of  many  loyal  members,  its  removal  was  considered  unnecessary  and  unwise — 
a  seeming  disregard  of  the  time-honored  traditions  of  the  body,  which  found 
expression  and  lodgement  in  the  building,  around  which  clustered  the  pride 
and  affection  of  its  members. 

And  thus  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  P.uildini.;-  pa>>ed  inlw  lii-~tiir\-. 

A  Sketch  of  the  Origin  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce:  Its  Meeting  Places. 

(1839-1889.) 

Tlie  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  had  its  origin  at  a  meetintr  of 
merchants  who  assembled  at  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Mercantile 
Library  Association  on  the  evening  of  October  15.  1839,  in  response  to  a  pub- 
lished call,  signed  by  seventy-six  firms  and  in(li\'i(luals,  a])pearing  in  the 
Ciiiciiiiiati  Pailv  Gaccttc  of  the  previous  day.     '^hi^   wa^  the  initial   meeting. 


[Photo.,  Roniback  a^  Grm-tu-] 

The  Fifth  National  Bank,  August,  1906. 

The  bank  occupied  entire  front  room  on  ground  floor  after  April,  1904.     Quarters 

remodeled  and  elegantly  finished  in  marble. 

out  of  which  grew  the  Cincinnati  Chamljer  of  C\)mmorce.  At  this  meeting  a 
temporary  organization  was  eft'ected,  and  Robert  Buchanan.  F,sq.,  was  made 
Chairman  and  Charles  Dufifield  Secretary.  A  Committee  on  Organization 
was  appointed,  which  presented  resolutions  faxoriiig  the  formation  "of  a 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Board  of  Trade,  tor  the  purpose  of  establishing 
uniform  regulations  and  unison  of  action  in  the  promotion  of  its  mercantile 
interests,"  and  recommending  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  fifteen  "to 
draw  up  a  code  of  regulations  for  the  government  of  sucli  a  body."  This 
resolution  was  adopted,  and  an  adjourned  meeting  was  held  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing,  October  22,   1839,  at  7  o'clock,   at   which   the   first   Constitution   of  the 

79 


CiN'cixxATi  Astronomical  Society 

Chamber  was  adopted,  and  on  the  29th  of  October,  1839,  an  election  for  the 
first  ofificers  of  the  newly  formed  body  was  held,  which  resulted  in  the  election 
of  Griffin  Taylor,  President:  R.  G.  Mitchell,  Peter  Nef¥,  S.  I'..  iMudley,  John 
Reeves,  Thomas  J.  Adams  and  Jacob  Strader,  Vice-Presidents;  Henry 
I'tockcy,  Secretary,  and  B.  W.  llewson,  Treasurer — these  ofificials  to  serve 
until  the  regular  annual  meeting  to  be  held  in  the  January  following.  At  a 
meeting  on  the  evening  of  Tuesday.  November  5,  1839,  by-laws  were  adopted, 
and  the  newly  fledged  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  now  fully  organized  and 
ready  for  business.  The  first  regular  annual  meeting  \\;i>  held  Januar_\  14, 
1840,  when  the  foregoing  Board  of  Officers  was  re-elected,  with  ilie  exception 
of  Jacob  Strader,  who  was  succeeded  l^y  Samuel  Trevor. 

Tile  \'iiung  Men's  Mercantile  Library  .Association,  furmed  .\pril  18,  1835, 
started  the  ni(i\enient  which  establi-~liecl  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Men 
must  ;u'ti\i'  in  the  ijl)rar\-,  fcinneil  the  cipmniittce  en  the  preamble  an.d  resolu- 


\Frnm  an  nJd  Painting] 

The  Old  Cincinnati  College  Building. 

Erected  1815,  Mr.  Isaac  Stagg,  Architect.     Burned  to  the  ground  January  19,  1845. 

On  the  Site  of  the  Present  Mercantile  Library  Building. 

Chamber  of  Commerce  organized  in  Library  Rooms  here  in  October,  1839. 

Merchants'  Exchange  Room  opened  here  May,  1844,  by  Library  Directors. 


tidii.  which  being  signed  and  pub]i^hed  in  ()ctciber,  1839,  cnnstitutcd  the  call 
fur  tliat  lir-t  meeting  in  the  l,ibrar_\-  rcKims.  Tiie  Chaml)er  of  Commerce  thus 
organi.'ed.  held  monthly  and  cjuarterly  meetings,  l)ut  no  dailv  sessiotis. 

.\  Mc.Tch;iiU>'  E-xchange  Room  where  steamboat  arrivals  and  departitres, 
freight  nunements  by  river,  canal  and  railroads,  arrivals  at  the  leading  hotels, 
could  l)e  recorded  daily  in  books  kept  for  the  ])itr]KTse,  was  urgetith-  ref|uested 
Ijy  ntimerous  merchants  in  the  winter  of  1843.  The  Library  directors  under- 
took the  entire  management,  securing  enough  subscribers  to  defra\-  tiie  added 
expense.  May  1,  1844,  the  Exchange  Room  was  opened  in  the  Library. 
Regular  dail}-  'Change  hours  were  not  maintained  in  the  next  two  vears,  but 
the  records  of  cominerce  were  consulted  by  the  indi\idual  stibscribers  during 
library  hours,  and  were  regarded  of  such  high  statistical  \alue  that  they  were 

8o 


HisTnK\   UK  Chamber  of  Commf.rci;  Buildinx 


maintained  by  the  directors  until  September  1.  1846.  when  thev  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  At  this  date  both  bodies  had  jtist  re- 
turned to  the  Cincinnati  College,  rebuilt  after  the  fire. 

The  first  name  adopted  by  the  newly  organized  body  was  "The  Cincin- 
nati Chamber  of  Commerce."  By  its  charter,  under  an  act  of  incorporation 
dated  March  23.  1850.  the  official  title  and  name  of  the  organization  became 
the  "Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Merchants'  Exchange."  and  this 
has  remained  unchanged  to  the  present  day. 


[I'lii'lo..  Romb<2th  C-'  Groi'iif] 

The  Cincinnati  College.      Built  1846.    Tom  down  September,  1902. 

On  site  of  Mercantile  Library  Building,  Walnut  Street. 

Home  of  Chamber  of  Commerce  July,  1846  to  October,  1869. 

Additional  charter  privileges  were  granted  by  act  of  the  Legislature, 
April  3,  1866,  and  the  provisions  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  Ohio  relating  to 
boards  of  trade  and  chambers  of  commerce  (Sections  3827  to  SSM.  inclusive.) 
were  accepted  by  the  Association  March  12.  1883.  by  which  acceptance  the 
Chamber  virtually  abandoned  its  previous  charter  and  became  a  corporation 
under  the  laws  and  constitution  of  Ohio ;  a  cojjy  of  this  acceptance  was  duly 
certified  to  and  filed  with  the  Secretary  of  State. 

Closely  related  to  this  sketch  of  the  formation  of  the  Chamber  is  the 
story  of  its  various  meeting  places  through  a  jieriod  of  fiftv  vears.  from  its 
infancy  in  1839  to  its  achievement  of  1889.  when  its  members  marched  proudlv 
into  their  own  home  and  building. 

8i 


CiNcixxATi  Astronomical  Society 

'I'hc  early  meetings  of  the  Chamljcr  during-  the  peridil  ni  h>  forniatinn 
in  1839  and  1840  were  held  in  the  rndins  of  the  Young  AlenV  Mercantile 
Library  Association,  in  the  Cullege  llnilding,  <n\  the  east  side  nt  Wahnit 
Street  north  of  Fourth,  the  Chamber  sharing  with  the  Library  in  the  occu- 
pancy of  these  rooms  by  the  ])ayment  of  one-third  nf  the  annual  rent  of  $300. 
Here  the  Chamber  remained  until  lanuary  19th,  1845,  wlu-n  the  College 
Building  was  destroyed  by  fire,  -\fler  the  tire  the  Chamljer  took  refuge  with 
the  Mercantile  Library  Association  in  tem])cirary  quarters  on  the  east  side  of 
Sycamore  street,  north  of  Fnurtli.  where  it  remained  until  tiie  re-erecti<in  cif 
the  College  Building,  to  whicii  it  reninvcd  July  2i.  1846,  again  occup\ing 
jointly  with  the  Library  the  fmnt  rooms  on  the  second  floor,  overlooking 
Walnut  Street,  to  which  space  the  Young  Men's  Mercantile  Library  Associa- 
tion had  acquired  perpetual  lease  by  the  p,'iynu-nt  nf  .$10,000  to  the  Trustees 
of  Cincinnati  College.  Tn  recognition  nf  the  friendlx-  and  close  relationship 
of  these  organizations,  the  Library  .Xsscicialinn  granted  tn  the  (.'hamlier  nf 
Commerce  tlie  use  nf  the  north  half  nf  this  room  for  five  years  at  the  nu-rely 
nominal  rental  of  one  dollar  ])er  ;innum.  and  here  it  remained  until  July  7. 
1851.  when  it  moved  into  a  large  rear  rnmn  of  the  College  Building,  on   the 


fescr' V: 


Cincinnati  College  Building  in  1857. 


/",■.,! 


Chamber  Entrance,  1869-81. 
Now  124-130  E.  4th  St. 


seconil  floor.  This  move  was  made  necessar_\-  l)y  the  increasing  demands  of 
the  Library  for  more  sjiace,  and  here  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  remained 
until  the  College  Building  was  again  partially  destroyed  by  fire  October  20, 
1869,  when  it  took  cpiarters  in  Iloj^kins  Hall,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Fourth 
and  Elm  Streets,  where  it  remained  temporarily  until  December  27,  1869. 
Leaving  Hopkins  Hall,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  leased  quarters  in  the 
premises  known  as  Smith  &  Nixon  Hall,  on  the  north  side  of  Fourth  Street, 
between  ]Main  and  Walnut,  and  here  it  remained  until  November  23,  1881, 
when  it  moved  into  larger  and  more  convenient  quarters  on  the  second  floor 
of  Pike's  Ujiera  House,  on  the  south  side  of  Fourth,  between  Walnut  and 
\'ine  Streets,  these  quarters  Ijeing  the  auditorium,  corriflors  and  adjoining 
rooms  t)f  that  theater,  made  adajjtable  to  the  uses  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce. And  here  it  remained  until  the  completion  and  dedication  of  the  new- 
Chamber  of  Commerce  Building,  Tuesday,  January  29,  1889. 

82 


History  of  Chamber  of  Commkrcf,  Building 

The  Primitive  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  1835-1837. 

While  the  organization  known  as  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  suljject 
of  this  sketch,  is  technically  the  only  body  of  that  name  and  had  its  actual 
origin  as  here  related,  yet,  from  the  testimony  now  available,  it  was  not, 
historically  speaking,  the  first  business  organization  of  the  kind  established 
in  Cincinnati,  and  it  seems  proper,  as  an  addenda  to  our  story  of  the  present 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  its  liuilding,  to  refer  briefly  to  the  formation  of 
that  other  organizatidu  which  [ireceded  1839  by  several  years.  That  there 
was  a  trading  exchange  prior  to  that  year  seems  from  the  evidence,  which  is 
accepted  as  trustworthy  and  credible,  to  have  been  a  fact. 

A  letter  from  the  pen  of  R.  ^^'.  Lee,  dated  Sunnyside,  Ky.,  vSejiteniher  19, 
1866,  reviews  this  subject  in  an  interesting  manner  and  throws  li,ght  upon  the 
history  of  the  older  organization  which  seems  well  authenticated.  Mr.  Lee 
came  to  Cincinnati  in  1827  and  became  identified  with  the  pi>rk  l)usiness.  He 
conceived  the  necessity  and  usefulness  of  an  organized  business  body  and 
called  a  meeting  of  the  packers  of  that  day  to  consider  the  formation  of  a 
Chanilier  of  Commerce. 


Interior  of  Pike's  Opera  House. 
Quarters  of  the  Chamber  November,  1881,  to  January,  1889. 


The  meeting  was  held  in  the  counting  room  of  Miller  &  Lee,  corner  of 
Sycamore  and  East  Court  Street,  in  1835,  and  was  attended  by  John  C.  (iroes- 
beck,  Aaron  G.  Gano,  William  Thoms,  1.  X.  Row  en,  William  Irwin.  Charles 
Duffield,  Charles  Clark.son,  S.  S.  Schooley,  K.  J.  Aliller  and  R.  W.  Lee.  Mr. 
Lee  relates  that  the  plan  was  well  received  at  this  and  subsequent  meetings, 
but  the  project  met  with  difficulty  in  finding  a  suitable  meeting  place  in  the 
upper  part  of  the  city,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  canal,  which  in  those  earlv 
days  was  an  important  means  of  transportation,  and  the  center  of  the  packing 
industry.  Mr.  Lee  reviews  the  efforts  made  to  secure  quarters  on  the  second 
floor  of  a  building  occupied  by  one  John  Thompson,  and  used  as  an  oyster 
house,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Main  and  North  Court  Streets,  and  this 
room,  measuring  25  by  90  feet,  Thompson  agreed  to  let  the  pro])osed  organi- 
zation use  for  its  meeting  place  witlmut  charge,  looking  to  an  enlarged 
patronage  of  his  oyster  house  as  sufficient  ci  im])ensation  . 

8', 


ClXClXN'ATI    ASTROXOMICAL    SoCIKTY 

From  Mr.  Lee's  letter  we  (|unte  the  following;: 

"At  the  ad.ioiinu-d  niortiiiK;  at  Mr.  Cirofsl)(.-cl<'.s  CDiiiUing  room 
I  handed  in  my  report  recommending  the  establishing  a  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  with  books  of  record  of  arrival  of  boal.s,  their  cargo  and 
prices  of  produce,  etc.  The  report  was  seconded  and  adopted,  and 
the  name  given  to  the  organization  was  the  "Canal  Produce  F.xchange.' 

"A  subscription  paper  was  opened,  and  over  one  hundred  mer- 
chants joined,  each  paying  $3  per  year.  This  fund  furnished  news- 
papers and  prices  current  and  paid  other  expenses.  Reports  were 
made  of  arrivals  of  steam  and  canal  boats  and  their  cargoes,  arrival 
of  hogs,  flour  and  whisky,  with  sales  and  prices — in  other  words,  a 
regular  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  establislied. 

"1  am  under  the  impression  that  Robert  lUichanan,  Esq.,  was  our 
first  President  after  we  organized;  of  this  1  am  not  entirely  certain. 
Jones  Dulfield,  brother  of  Charley,  was  our  first  Secretary. 

"Thus  was  established  the  first  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Cin- 
cinnati. This  organization  was  kept  up  during  the  years  1835,  1836 
and  a  part  of  1837,  when  the  merchants  down  town  thought  the  place 
of  meeting  too  far  north  and  too  far  up-town.  Mr.  Thompson  took 
charge  of  the  room,  its  papers,  etc..  collected  money  to  pay  ofif  all 
demands  against  the  Chamber,  and  then  it  ceased  to  act." 


Carved  Eagle. 
The  four  granite  eagles,  from  the  Fourth  Street  and  Baker  Street  roof  dormers, 
were  presented  to  the  Park  Commission.     They  are  now  mounted  on  piers  in 
Eden  Park,  where  the  main  drive  passes  under  the  concrete  bridge. 


Whether  uur  present  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  tlie  direct  outgrowlli 
of  this  earlier  body  is  not  defitiitely  asserted,  although  from  a  similarit\-  ni 
names  and  interests  it  seems  highly  probable  that,  if  it  was  not  a  direct  suc- 
cessor, it  was  at  least  closely  related  to  it.  From  close  observation  of  condi- 
tions it  may  be  safely  concluded  that  out  of  the  "Canal  Produce  Exchange" 
was  evolved  that  organization  of  broader  scope,  of  larger  interests,  of  more 
enduring  material— the  CINCIXN.\TI  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  AND 
MERCHANTS'  EXCHANGE. 


History  of  Ciia.mhi;u  m'  Cummkrci';  Building 


CASS   GILBERT 

Architect 

11  East  Twenty-Fourth  Street 
New  York 


Richardson  was  a  man  of  l)ig 
mind  and  big  figure;  everything 
al)Out  him  was  big,  but  with  it  all 
his  manner  was  so  genial  and 
kindly  and  delightful  that  visitors 
involuntarily  yielded  themselves  to 
his  infectious  enthusiasm.  He  v/as 
one  of  the  greatest  personalities 
that  I  remember  to  have  met. 

Few  men  have  left  such  an  im- 
pression upon  their  day  and  gen- 
eration. Trained  in  the  most 
formal  architectural  school  in  the 
world,  his  work  always  evidenced 
a  high  sense  of  organized  plan- 
ning and  yet  was  expressed  with 
freedom  and  vitality  which  was 
anything  but  academic. 

Richardson's  memory  is  held  in 
reverence  in  England  and  in 
France,  particularly  in  England,  as 
it  is  in  America,  and  Cincinnati 
does  wisely  to  preserve  such  frag- 
ment as  it  possesses  of  the  expres- 
sion of  liis  genius. 

Very  trul}-  yours. 

CASS  GILBERT, 

Tanuarv  26,  1914. 


Tliis  luiidern  skyscraper,  a  repro- 
duction of  the  Italian  Rennaissance 
style,  erected  on  the  site  of  the 
former  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
represents  the  progress  of  Ameri- 
can building  methods  and  business 
requirements  during  the  past  three 
decades.  • 

Associated  with  Mr.  Cass  Gilbert 
in  the  erection  of  this  building,  was 
the  firm  of  Garber  &  Woodward, 
Architects,  of  this  city. 


,/■ 


11 


[Courtesy  of  Union  Central  Life  Insurance  Co.] 

The  Present  Home 

of  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce 

and  Merchants'  Exchange. 

Quarters  Dedicated  June  26,  1913, 

Union  Central  Life  Insurance  Building. 


85 


Testimonial  Banquet  to  the  First  Fall  Festival   Directors,  October  16,  1900, 
Exchange  Hall,  beautifully  decorated. 


[Courtesy  of  Capt.  Thos.  P.  Egau\ 

Large  delegation  from  'Change  and  Business  Men's  Club  starting  for  Louisville, 
Ky.,  to  attend  the  Fourteenth  Annual  Convention  of  the  Ohio  Valley  Im- 
provement Association,  October,  1908. 

86 


Happenings  and  Activities 

in  Chamber  of  Commerce 

1889-1911 


Bv  Charles  B.  Murray 
Superintendent  of  the  Chamber  iSgi-igi  1 


Fur  the  ])urposes  nf  the  nii:i\eineiit  and 
oJiject  which  have  furnished  occasion  for  scmic 
mention  of  happenings  in  the  Cincinnati  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce,  to  appear  in  connection  with 
specific  statements  concerning  the  Xew  Home 
of  the  organization,  which  the  Association 
came  into  possession  of  in  January.  1889,  it  i- 
deemed  sufficient  to  limit  the  record  to  the 
period  covered  b}-  the  life  or  existence  of  the 
Building,  which  came  to  an  unexjiected  ending 
in  January,  1911.  This  structure  and  its  par- 
ticular meaning  in  this  community  represent 
the  prime  features  of  the  efifort  which  this  work- 
contemplates. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  Building  had 
an  individuality  of  character,  among  the  special 
charms  within  our  city.  Not  only  in  its  struc- 
tural cliaracteristics,  hut  in  its  ]iurposes  and 
uses,  it  stood  apart  from  other  notable  features 
of  the  locality.  Its  purposes  represented  pro- 
vision for  pri.imoting  deeds  of  enterprise  and 
impetus  ti)  the  ambitions  of  the  citizens,  includ- 
ing advancement  of  developments  in  the  shap- 
ing of  affairs  in  earlier  days.  Its  uses  were 
for  accomodating  and  promoting  such  pur- 
poses— notably  as  an  Exchange  for  trade 
operations,  with  facilities  for  securing  knowl- 
edge of  market  conditions  and  of  other  features 
aftecting  the  interests  of  those  having  relations 
to  current  acti\ities,  locally  and  ntherwise; 
and  also  the  collection,  recording  and  dissemi- 
nation of  information  relating  to  productixe, 
commercial  and  financial  interests  in  whicli  it^ 
members  were  specifically  concerned,  and  at 
the  same  time  contributing  to  the  general  w  el- 
fare.  Its  membership,  through  deliberations 
and  actions  of  its  officials  and  otherwise,  cum- 
manded  a  position  of  influence  in  passing  upon 
matters  of  public  nattire.  It  ser\ed  in  adjust- 
ment  of  disputes   and   dift'erences   arising   be- 

87 


'Thrn.   C    .l/,ir,,vn<| 

Joseph  R.  Brown. 
President,  1891-1892. 


[  /i('  )ijii  m  i  n  St  It  ilio  \ 

Brent  Arnold. 
President,  1892-1893. 


I  Bcnjiimiii  Studio 

Michael  Ryan. 
President,  1893-1894. 


CiNXiNNATi  Astronomical  Society 


\  f^crijnmin  Studio] 

James  M.  Glenn. 
President,  1894-1895. 


I  l>f->i!u>nin  Studio] 

Maurice  J.  Freiberg. 
President,  1895-1896. 


[  Benjamin  Studio] 

J.  Milton  Blair. 
President,  1896-1897. 


UvccMi  its  mcnihcrs  ami  cithers.  It  acted  in 
t'stal)lishiii,<;-  ajjjiropriate  rules  and  regulations 
t^nverning  business  operations,  and  in  efforts 
\i  <r  the  protection  of  local  interests  against  con- 
ditions of  discrimination  in  transportation  fea- 
tures and  otherwise  affecting  this  market  and 
locality.  Its  influence  was  applied  to  ijronio- 
tion  of  ])roi)er  legislation  of  nonpolitical  nature 
and  against  ini worthy  measures.  Its  con- 
scrvati\-c  stand  in  all  such  matters,  and  readi- 
ness to  jcjin  in  movements  calculated  to 
adxancc  the  general  welfare,  brought  the 
C"haml)er  of  Commerce  into  high  recognition 
and  respect  among  the  influential  liodies  of  our 
Country. 

The  l'',xcliangc  I  (all  in  the  majestic  Building 
erected  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  afforded 
an  assemliling  j)lace  for  discussion  upon  public 
(|uestions  of  ])articular  importance,  and  of 
actions  incident  thereto.  It  alscj  ser\-ed  as  a 
rcce])tion  hall  for  eminent  visitors,  whom  our 
citizens  were  delighted  to  have  among  them. 
In  this  Building  were  elements  in  the  nature  of 
uses  which  promoted  fame  for  our  city,  encour- 
aged the  spirit  of  progress  among  our  people, 
turni^hed  power  for  inspiratinn  in  further  aims 
in  exaltation  of  industrial  endeavors,  helped  in 
the  attainment  of  a  higher  ])osition  of  all  the 
essentials  which  ct.indiine  tn  create  attractive- 
ness in  a  locality  cjf  centralization  of  citizen- 
shi]).  and  in  securing  betterment  of  the  moral 
tone  of  the  generation. 

On  the  completion  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce Building  our  citizens  realized  the  sig- 
nificance of  the  event,  and  made  an  impressive 
and  memorable  celebration  incident  to  its  dedi- 
cation and  opening.  This  occasion  was  one  of 
the  most  notalde  of  puldic  aft'airs  in  our  city. 
Xo  public  demonstration  in  its  history  has  e.x- 
cellcd  it  in  interest,  in  signiticance,  and  in  bril- 
liance of  action  in  connection  with  a  celebra- 
tion. In  this  instance  jiractically  all  our  citi- 
zens had  an  interest. 

To  speak  of  happenings  within  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  and  of  incidents  connected  with 
its  efforts  and  influence,  including  considera- 
tion of  propositions  and  actions  taken,  during 
the  twenty-two  years  of  occupancy  of  its  Home 
Building,  it  is  neccssar\-  in  this  connection  to 


Happenings  on  'Chanuk.  1889-1911 


be  governed  by  limitations  which  dn  n(jt  admit 
of  fullness  of  specification  of  such  details,  not 
all  of  which  would  be  interesting  to  introduce. 
but  enough  can  be  offered  to  indicate  the  com- 
manding position  of  the  organization  in  such 
particulars. 

From  year  to  year  many  conventions  in 
promotion  of  the  public  welfare  were  attended 
by  representatives  duly  appointed  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  As  occasions  arose 
for  co-operation  with  other  bodies  in  mo\  e- 
ments  of  worthy  nature,  actions  were  taken 
accordingly.  Attention  was  given  to  calls  for 
relief  of  suffering  humanity  in  a  generous  man- 
ner. Recognition  was  given  to  the  principle 
of  arbitration  in  adjustment  of  international 
disputes.  The  great  w^ork  of  the  Lake  Mohonk 
Conferences  in  this  cause  was  highly  com- 
mended, and  the  accomplishments  of  the  Peace 
Congress  at  The  Hague  were  cordially  en- 
dorsed. The  Chamber  of  Commerce  took  the 
initiative  in  many  propositions  of  a  progressive 
nature.  The  Miami  and  Erie  Canal,  from 
Toledo  to  Cincinnati,  was  the  subject  of  con- 
sideration at  different  times,  and  a  sur\ey  of 
such  waterways  within  the  State  was  urged. 
The  abandonment  of  the  canal  within  the  cor- 
poration limits  of  Cincinnati,  and  its  conversion 
to  a  driveway,  was  advocated.  The  local  water 
supply  was  recognized  as  a  question  of  special 
importance,  and  plans  for  needful  improvement 
were  considered,  the  ijbject  in  view  being 
finally  accomplished  in  a  highly  satisfactory 
manner  by  the  city.  The  matter  of  privileges 
to  railroads  upon  the  Public  I^anding  was  a 
subject  of  deep  interest  and  active  considera- 
tion. Among  other  aff'airs  of  public  nature 
receiving  consideration  from  time  to  time  were 
a  memorial  to  Congress  to  take  measures  for 
compelling  carriers  to  adopt  tmiform  bill>  of 
lading  and  uniform  classifications  of  freight : 
questions  relating  to  the  interests  of  the  muni- 
cipality in  the  Cincinnati  vSouthern  Railway 
lease;  protest  of  citizens  against  outrages  suf- 
fered by  Jews  in  Russia,  permitted  by  that 
government ;  tribute  to  Air.  E.  A.  Ferguson,  in 
recognition  of  his  wise  and  effective  devotion 
to  the  work  of  securing  the  construction  of  the 
Cincinnati  Southern  Railway;  endorsement  of 
the  plans  of  the  Greater  Park  League  for  secur- 
ing to  Cincinnati  an  extension  of  the  park  sys- 
tem in  a  manner  to  bring  enlarged  attractions 

89 


l''t'u'himnt  Slititi< 


William  McCallister. 
President,  1897-1898. 


/'•  ■:  '■'.  nun  Studio] 

Robert  H.  West. 
President,  1898-1899. 


IF.  -\;  v 
John  H.  Allen. 
President,  1899-1900. 


yttfrs] 


ClNClNXATl    ASTRONOMICAI,    SoClKTY 


!/■.  M.  .Sowers) 
James  T.  McHugh. 
President,  1900-1901. 


1  I^t)ir<i7nin  Studio] 

W.  W.  Granger. 
President  for  1902. 


[Jirnfiimhi  Studio\ 

J.  F.  Ellison. 
President  for  1903. 


and  l)i.'nL'li!>  in  such  essentials;  i-nlertaiimu'iit 
'il  a  (k'k'jiatiiin  nf  S<intli  Americans  visiting 
|)riiK-i|)al  cities  of  nnr  C(jnntry  inider  guidance 
111'  (ifticials  of  tlie  1  Miiladeliiliia  Commercial 
Museum,  an  institution  recognized  as  of  high 
degree  of  worthiness  to  iiuhistrial  interests  in 
ils  permanent  exposition  nature  and  organized 
service  in  tnniisliing  commercial  inlormation  ; 
resolutions  ia\oring  reciprocal  comiuereial 
relations  with  other  countries;  commendation 
of  the  \v(jrk  of  the  ( )hio  X'alley  lm])r<i\enient 
\ssociation  in  the  interest  of  betterment  of 
the  Ohio  l\i\i'r  for  navigation  pin-])oses.  tliis 
organizati<iii  lia\  ing  had  its  origin  in  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce;  action  favoring  the 
Ciood  Roads  .Moxement;  ado])tion  of  i)rotest 
against  enactment  of  any  bill  i)r(jviding  for 
sale  or  abandonment  of  canals  of  the  State, 
with  reci  iinniendatii  m  that  a  --inily  '  if  the  canals 
as  to  a(l\isal)ilit_v  of  enlargement  to  ]jrovide 
for  barge  trans])ortation  between  the  Northern 
Lakes  and  the  (  >hio  l\i\er.  X'arious  other 
all.'iirs  111  juiblic  coiiccni  recei\ed  consider;iti<m 
from  time  to  time.  The  mnniluent  contribu- 
tion of  half  a  million  dollars  for  erection  of  a 
-suitable  building  for  the  pur])oses  of  the  (Jhio 
.Mechanics'  Institute  by  Mrs.  Mary  .M .  l"",mery 
was  noticed  in  exjjressions  of  high  apprecia- 
tion. Incident  to  the  coming  to  oiir  cmmtry 
of  a  large  delegation  from  Japan,  designated 
a--  llonorary  Commercial  Commissioners  rc])- 
resenting  that  country,  who  made'  a  tour  of  the 
I'liited  States  in  the  latter  part  of  1909,  the 
(.'hanibcr  of  Commerce  had  a  rejiresentative 
accompanying  it  in  a  large  ])art  of  its  move- 
ments east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  this 
body  of  representative  business  men  was 
ap]iro]iriately  recei\'ed  and  entertained  when 
reaching  our  city  by  the  (.'hamber  of  Com- 
merce. 

The  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  C'ommerce  in 
.ill  its  years  has  acted  ])ronii)tly  in  its  efforts 
lor  securing  relief  for  suffering  humanity  from 
disastrous  consequences  of  an  unusual  nature, 
not  only  in  our  own  country,  but  in  foreign 
lands.  Such  actions  within  the  period  frcnii 
1SS9  to  I'Ml   include  the  following  instances: 

1889. — .\.t  Louisville,  Ky.,  incident  to  a 
c\  clone,  occasioning  great  loss  of  life  and  prop- 
erty, financial  ;iid  was  declined,  but  other  .aid 
rendered, 

1894. — In  Louisiana,  for  relief  of  unem- 
ployed, helpless  and  destitute  people,  from 
devastating  storms  among  islands  and  marsh- 
lands below  Xew  (  )rleans. 


90 


Happenings  on  'Chance.   1889-1911 


1895. — Suffering  among  coal  miners  in  the 
Hocking  \'alley  region,  in  (Jhio. 

1895. — Relief  of  needy  farmers  in  Nebraska 
and  Eastern  Colorado,  from  crop  failures. 

1897. — Relief  of  flood  sufferers  in  the  T.owcr 
Mississippi  \'alley. 

1900.— At  Galveston,  Te.xas,  relief  of  suft'er- 
ers  from  a  (lulf  storm  of  very  great  violence 
and  losses. 

1901.— At  Jacksonville,  Florida,  for  suft'er- 
ers  from  a  great  conflagration. 

1902. — Earthcjuake  suft'erers  in  the  Islamls 
of  Martinique  and  St.  \'incent. 

1903. — At  Topeka,  Kansas,  and  elsewhere 
in  the  ilissouri  \'alley,  sufferers  from  floods. 

1906. — Southern  Italy,  sufferers  from  eruj)- 
ti(_in  of  ]\Iount  Vesuvius. 

1906. — Suft'erers  from  storms  in  Alabama 
coast  regions. 

1906. — At  San  Francisco,  Cal..  from  earth- 
fjuake  and  conflagration  conditions,  and  conse- 
quent losses  great  in  extent,  inviting  aid  for 
suft'erers  in  exceptional  degree.  The  Chamber 
of  Commerce  contributed  a  liberal  stun  to  the 
general  fund  which  it  received  from  the  citi- 
zens of  the  city  and  region  and  forwarded  to 
authorities  in  charge,  in  money,  large  in 
amount,  and  additionally  great  quantities  cif 
material. 

1907. — For  local  relief  of  (  )hio  River  flood 
suft'erers. 

1908. — For  earthquake  suft'erers  in  Italy. 

During  the  existence  of  the  Chamber  nf 
Commerce  Building  its  grand  Exchange  Hall 
received  and  welcomed  a  large  number  c:>f  visit- 
ors of  prominence  and  distinction  in  the 
world's  activities  and  endeavors,  covering  a 
wide  extent  of  interests  and  of  connection  with 
affairs  of  civilization,  in  this  and  other  coun- 
tries. These  incidents  aft'orded  features  >>{ 
entertainment  and  of  instruction  for  member- 
of  the  Association  and  of  the  community.  It 
was  a  meeting  place  for  discussion  of  ])ublic 
questions  and  measures,  particularl_\-  such  a~ 
had  relation  to  the  interests  of  the  locality  ami 
its  people.  It  served  in  plans  of  commemora- 
ti\e  nature,  and  social  functions.  Its  most 
distinct  instance  of  this  latter  kind  was  incident 
to  the  completion  and  dedication  of  the  Build- 
ing. Another,  the  grand  public  demonstration 
and  banquet  in  celebration  of  the  founding  of 
the  city  of  Cincinnati  as  an  incorporated  muni- 
cipality. The  banquet  and  testimonial  to  the 
Fall  Festival  Directors  in  1901  was  a  brilliant 
aft'air. 


Samuel  Bailey,  Jr. 
President  for'l904. 


titiJio] 


H.  Lee  Early. 
President  for  1905. 


[  l^tnjaTniti  Studio] 


L.  L.  Sadler. 
President  for  1906. 


91 


Cincinnati  Astronomicai,  Socikty 


1  lirni.ntlin  Slu,lto\ 

W.  A.  Bennett. 
President  for  1907. 


Thomas  P.  Egan. 
President  for  1908. 


;  liciljattiu:  Stiuli' 

Charles  E.  Roth. 
President  for  1909. 


Members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
have  not  been  devoid  of  enjoyment  of  occasions 
furnishing  opportunities  for  fun  and  frolic. 
I  pini  (le]jarture  from  the  Smith  &  Nixon  Hall 
t(i  the  Pike  Building,  in  3881,  dignity  and 
(k'Cdrnin  were  set  aside.  The  doings  inside  the 
hall  were  at  a  high  pitch  when  the  writer 
arrived  at  the  street  entrance,  where  he  was 
greeted  by  a  member  who  had  just  emerged 
from  within,  s;i}iiig,  "If  you  go  in  }'ou  will  be 
siirry,  and  if  \i>n  don't  you  will  be  a  coward." 
Later  the  memljers  formed  in  procession  for  a 
march  to  the  new  (luarters,  being  decorated 
with  Hour  and  dihcr  e\idences  of  unusual 
nature.  Departure  from  the  Pike  Hall  for  the 
New  Home,  in  1889,  w^as  orderly,  under  s])ecific 
arrangements.  At  the  close  of  each  year  there 
was  generally  an  irrepressible  and  uncontrol- 
lable impulse  for  frolic  on  'Change,  excepting 
111!  occasions  where  orderly  entertainments 
were  arranged  for.  These  instances  were 
minierous,  and  generally  of  entertaining  nature. 
«  In  some  occasions  printed  programs  were 
furnished,  and  the  jiroceedings  somewhat 
elabdrate  and  fiin-])ri  Mlucing.  (Jtiite  a  niiniljcr 
I  if  such  arrangements  and  frolics  occurred  in 
the  Exchange  Plall  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce Building. 

As  an  illustration  of  some  year-end  doings 
in  tlie  Chamber  of  Commerce,  it  may  lie  men- 
tioned that  at  the  close  of  1908,  the  younger 
members  effected  plans  for  an  entertainment, 
in  tile  Kxchange  Ilall,  which  included  music, 
roller-skating,  and  other  features  of  di\'ersion. 
At  the  opening  of  the  jiroceedings,  and  actitig 
in  accordance  with  the  jdans  of  the  committee 
in  charge,  some  remarks  were  offered  by  the 
su])erintendcnt,  in  which,  among  other  things, 
he  said : 

'A\'c  have  reached  the  joy  season  of  the 
year,  which  impels  us  to  take  notice.  And 
there  is  nothing  in  the  doings  of  the  human 
family  that  outranks  in  merit  that  which  i^- 
done  by  one  for  the  joy  of  another.  It  is  also 
the  season  for  forgetfulness  of  lines  of  distinc- 
tion between  youthful  days  and  those  over  on 
the  declining  side  of  life's  career.  It  is  the  sea- 
son when  persons  old  in  years  may  throw  off 
for  tln'  time  being  the  mask  that  Old  Time  has 
jilaced  upon  them — so  that  men  and  boys  may 
mingle  and  join,  come  together,  in  spirit  and 
otherwise,  all  as  boys,  in  sharing  in  those 
tilings    which    belong    more    especially    to    the 


92 


Happi-.vixcs  on  'Chancf.,  1889-1911 


sphere  of  the  l)ii_\-s.  hut  \vh(jse  tentacles  never 
reach  a  time  of  relimiui^hment  imtil  the  day 
of  final  accounting.     *     *     * 

"We  are  citizens  of  a  city  and  localit}'  cum- 
bining  so  much  of  those  elements  which  pro- 
mote enjoyment,  health,  and  prosperous  re- 
ttirns  for  industrial  effort,  that  we  ha^'e  a  right 
to  regard  such  features  of  the  situation  as 
unexcelled  in  the  entire  breadth  of  our  great 
country,  ilen  with  life  objects  in  view  are 
attracted  toward  our  city,  and  when  once  es- 
tablished here   rarel_\-   remove  to  other  locali- 

■^-■1p^        -^      H*      ^ 

"We  are  ncjw-  assembldl  in  the  liall  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  an  exchange  room  in 
\\hich  important  activities  of  men  are  dailv 
centered,  and  which  is  the  home  of  a  bodv 
whose  standing  for  dignity,  for  influence  in  the 
aftairs  not  only  of  the  membership,  the  citv, 
and  locality.  1nit  of  the  State  and  of  the  Nation, 
takes  rank  with  the  best  of  organized  bodies, 
anywhere.  *  *  *  Its  service  in  the  gen- 
eral welfare  has  been  distinctive,  and  will  so 
continue.  Its  characteristics  of  soberness,  of 
earnestness  and  eliecti\"eness  of  purpose,  its 
solidity,  and  its  position  of  dignity  among  the 
influential  bodies  of  the  region  and  of  the 
country,  are  typified  in  the  massive  walls  and 
impressi\-e  architecture  of  this  home,  which 
the  membership  has  created.  This  liuilding:  is 
a  monument  to  tlie  spirit  of  enterprise  and 
commercial  integrit\-  displayed  by  men  wiser 
and  broader  in  their  understandings  of  the 
pri\-ileges,  ptirposes  and  infltiences  r)f  life's  ef- 
forts than  are  those  who  measure  the  value  of 
results  only  by  the  <lollars  that  can  lie  secured. 
It  is  an  object  lesson,  serving  to  promote  an 
uijHfting  influence  tipon  the  entire  commun- 
ity.    *     *     * 

"It  has  become  the  pr(.i\'ince  iif  tlie  speaker 
to  give  greeting  to  all  who  are  present,  with 
the  hope  that  the  pleasure  which  the  ]iromoters 
of  this  plan  for  joy  have  experienced  in  effect- 
ing the  arrangements  may  be  equalled  Ijy  that 
which  will  result  to  those  wIkj  will  share  in 
the  features  of  this  occasion.  It  i>.  therefore, 
my  agreeable  privilege  to  announce  that  the 
gates  to  the  held  of  entertainment  will  now 
open,  and  the  fun  witliin  these  walls  will  surely 
find  its  way  gratefully  to  the  hearts  of  all  who 
are  here — we  will  not  say,  be  they  old  or 
young,  for  the  old  are  young  for  the  moment, 
and  the  voung  are  as  old  as  the  old.'" 


[Benjitmiu  Sttuiio] 

James  J.  Heekin. 
President  for  1910. 


Walter  A.  Draper. 
President  for  1911-1912-1913. 


[  1^'  'ijiimin  StHtiio\ 

George  F.  Dieterle. 
President  for  1914. 


93 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Socikty 
OFFICERS  LONG  IN  THE  SERVICE  OF  'CHANGE. 


[L,L,ul,,    l'h„l„ 

William  Smith. 
Superintendent,  1854-1871. 


Sidney  D.  Maxwell. 
Superintendent,  1871-1891. 


Tlu-  \\v>\  superiiitfmk'iit  wa.s  .\li'.  .V.  i'calnuly,  who  served  Iruiii  184()  to 
1849.  .\lr.  Kichard  Smith  was  superintendent  and  secretary  also  from  1849 
to  1854,  when  his  Ijrothcr,  William,  liecamc  tlic  superintendent.  Mr.  William 
Smith  was  re-elected  tn  this  (irfui-  idr  sexcntccu  successive  terms,  scv  iii;.;  until 
Novemljer  1.  1871. 

Mr.  Sidney  1).  Ma.wvell,  hiwyer.  a  ne\\>pa])er  c(irres])on(lent  and  military 
secretary  durins.';  the  war,  liecame  assistant  city  editor  on  the  Ciiiciiuuiti  Cia;:cttc 
in  1868.  In  1871,  Col.  Maxwell  was  chosen  .sui)erintendent  of  the  Chamhcr, 
and  was  so  successful  in  cunductins^  its  affair,s  and  in  advancing  jjuhlic  enter- 
prises, that  he  was  honored  with  re-election  for  twenty  consecutive  years. 
In  addition  to  tiie  endless  detail  and  statistical  work  of  his  office,  he  entered 
fully  into  the  ])roject  of  the  Richardson  Imilding,  to  the  sarrificp  of  liis 
health,  and  an  ox'erstrain  resulting  therefrom  le<l  h>  his  \ciliintary  retirement 
in  No\ember,  1891. 

The  tribute,  which  the  Chamlier.  thru  a  s]iecial  committee  prepared  anil 
caused  to  be  beautifully  engrossed  in  cokirs  by  a  lijcal  artist,  and  presented 
to  Colonel  Maxwell  on  his  retirement,  so  truly  and  clearly  sets  forth  the  honor 
and  influence  c;)f  the  superintendent's  positinu  in  general,  as  to  merit  ])nb- 
lication  in  fidl. 


Charles  B.  Murray. 
Superintendent,  1891-1911. 


{  F^<tii'imi):  Stndio] 

William  C.  Culkins. 

Superintendent-Executive  Sec'y. 

Elected  1911. 


94 


Officers  I.dnc  in  thk  Skrvicf,  of  Change 

.Mr.  Chas.  B.  Murray,  with  ten  \oars'  experience  as  a  ])riMhK-e  commission 
merchant,  followed  by  o\-er  nineteen  ^-ears  as  editor  and  [iroprietor  of  the 
Cincinnati  Price  Citncnt,  also  secretary  of  the  Chamber,  1882-86,  received  the 
unsolicited  appointment  as  superintendent,  because  of  his  expert  knowledge 
of  commerce,  trade  and  crop  re]Hjrtings.  Fortunate  ancl  wise  was  their  choice. 
For  twenty  years  he  lalmrcd  unceasingly,  ci  intributiii^  his  utmost  efforts  to 
the  upbuilding  of  the  Chamber  and  to  its  good  name  at  Imme  .and  abro.ad.  His 
duties  closed  May  15,  1911. 

With  the  physical  changes  which  the  year  1911  brought,  fnllcjwing  the 
loss  of  the  Chand)er  Building,  have  ci.mie  (ither  changes  in  the  broadening  of 
activities  and  in  ci\ic  ser\ice,  typified  in  the  natne  Executive  Secretary,  ]jy 
which  Mr.  William  C.  Culkins,  tho  superintendent  as  well  from  1911,  is  now 
preferably  designated.  With  him  are  now  associated  no  less  than  fourteen 
separate  heads  of  de])artments.  Experiences  of  a  score  of  years  in  newspaper 
work  and  in  civic  awakening  and  betterment.  ha\e  prcjjared  Mr.  Culkins  for 
leadership  in  this  historic,  influential  Chamber  of  Ccminierce. 


ICuiirltsii  "i  <'lf<ix.   li.   Minnnil 

The  Record  Service,  northwest  corner  Exchange  Hall.     Earlier  on  fourth  floor, 
rear.     Iron  railing  was  formerly  about  open  area  on  upper  floors. 

Mr.  John  R.  Morton  entered  the  ser\ice  of  'Change  in  lS(i9,  ;is  clerk  in 
charge  of  the  Department  of  Finances  and  Accounts.  I  lis  sor\  ices  were 
invaluable  thruout  the  period  of  large  investment  of  surplus,  for  the  building 
project.  His  lal)ors  were  unbroken  for  o\er  twenty-three  years,  up  to  his 
death  November  4,  1891.  at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years. 

Mr.  George  S.  Bradbury  entered  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  service  as 
of^ce  assistant   in   September     1882.  Clerk   of  the   Board  of   Real    Estate 

Managers,  1883  to  1890.  Promoted  to  the  chief  clerkshiji.  November.  1891. 
Resigned  from  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  March  1,  1913,  .after  a  continuous 
service  of  more  than  thirt\-  vears. 


'-)S 


Cincinnati  Astronomicai,  Society 


John  R.  Morton, 
Chief  Clerk,  1869-1891. 


\)'iiiiiti;  c-*  ('(irl\ 

George  S.  Bradbury. 
Chief  Clerk,  1801-1913. 


.Mr.  Rcihcrt  |.  II.  .Vrchialik-  hci'anic  mcssenj^er  Ixiy  at  llci]ikiiis  llall, 
I'lHirth  and  l'",lni,  Novcmljcr  2^.  lSfi9,  (lurinsr  the  lirief  .stay  of  the  Cliaiiiber 
there,  lie  heeanie  cloorl<ee])er  at  Smith  anil  Nixon's  Hall  in  1876,  servint.':-  five 
years  there,  eiyht  years  in  the  Pike's  0])era  House,  twenty-two  years  in  the 
Kichardsoii  Building,  and  today  is  to  he  found  at  his  desk  in  the  new  quarters. 

Mr.  (iustav  G.  Wisser  entered  the  messenger  service  of  'Change  in 
November,  1876.  He  became  recorder  uf  cotton  .statistics  in  1881,  continuing 
to  1891  in  that  capacity.  .Mimiu  1894  he  became  clerk  of  statistics  and  with  the 
reorganization  of  departinent>  in  1912-1,1,  Mr.  Wisser  became  chief  clerk  in 
charge  of  the  statistics. 

In  1882,  .Miss  Margaret  .\.  Daly  entered  the  office  as  stenographer  to 
Superintendent  Maxwell,  at  whose  suggestion  she  had  learned  shorthand 
from  Benn  Pitman.  Ftjr  six  years  at  the  Pike's  Opera  House  location,  and 
during  the  entire  existence  of  their  own  building,  she  remained  a  \alued 
assistant  in  the  office,  answering  the  constant  stream  of  inquiries,  taking  care 
of  all  ordin;iry  corresjinndence  and  the  orderly  filing  of  records.  To  the  Com- 
mittees of  .\rl)itratiim  and  .\ppt-als.  wlmse  hearings,  awards  and  findings  she 
reported  for  years,  her  accurate  knuwledge  of  the  by-laws  and  methods  of  ])ro- 
cedure  made  her  services  itnaluable  No  one  is  more  deserving  of  mention 
here  than  .Miss  Daly,  who,  tlm  never  a  designated  official,  served  the  Chamber 
with  marked  ability  and  faithfulness,  with  rare  tact,  ever  cheerfully,  for  more 
than  thirt\-  \ears.     She  resigned  in  1914. 


[Vouiii;  c-'  Carl] 

Robert  J.  H.  Archiable. 
Doorkeeper    and    Custodian    of   Ex- 
change.   In  the  service  from  1869. 


96 


{Vonug  ir-*  Carl] 
Gustav  G.  Wisser. 
Chief  Clerk,  Statistical  Department. 
Entered  the  service  1876. 


Offici-.rs  Long  in  the  Service  of  Change 


CINCINNATI  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  AND  MERCHANTS  EXCHANGE 

To  THE  President  of  the 

CiNcixNATi  Chamber  OF  Commerce  Dec.  7th,  1891. 

AND  Merchants'  Exchange. 

The  committee  honored  by  yciur  a|ii>' lintniciit  ti  1  prepare  a  ])a])er  ai)pro- 
priate  to  the  resignation  of  Culimel  Sidney  IJ.  Ma.xwell  fmm  !iis  pusition  as 
superintendent,  respectfully  su1)mits  the  following  report ; 

.\lthough  Colonel  Maxwell  was  an  appointee  of  the  board  of  directors, 
honored  by  their  selection  for  twenty  consecutive  terms  of  service,  yet  liis 
relation  to,'  and  intercourse  with,  the  members  of  the  Cham.ber  has  necessarily, 
in  the  discharge  of  his  varied,  exacting,  perplexing  duties,  been  so  close  and 
his  work  so  acceptably  performed  that  it  is  singularly  proper  that  the  sever- 
ance of  those  relations  should  be  noticed  by  the  memlier  in  a  formal  wav 

For  one  who  is  in  an  onerous,  responsible  position  an('  ]jerforms  his 
duties  faithfully,  mere  money  pay  i--  nut  always  full  compensation;  the  ex- 
pressed approbation  of  those'for  whom  the  services  are  rendered  becomes  his 
larger,  better,  more  appreciable  ci  iii^ideration. 

It  is  therefore  most  pleasant  to  embody  in  a  few  words  an  expression  of 
the  estimate  of  the  labor  that  Colonel  Maxwell  has  so  efficiently  rendered  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Merchants'  l^xchange  and  thrnugli  it  the  business 
world  at  large. 

When  twenty  years  ago  he  accepted  the  position  then  vacated  by  one  who 
had  long  filled  it  fa'ithfully,  he  brought  to  it  habits  of  work,  acquired  in  trade, 
in  study  and  in  journalism,  fortified  by  a  high  sense  of  its  responsibilities,  he 
properly  appreciated  the  opportunities  for  usefulness  the  place  aflforded,- — 
especially  as  it  related  to  the  current  history  of  the  commercial  and  industrial 
progress  of  our  city,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  with  conscientious  purpose 
to  sustain  and  promote,  so  far  as  came  within  the  scope  of  his  undertakings, 
the  high  reputatiijn  and  influence  nur  association  had. 

This  ptirpose  embodied  a  sense  of  the  dignity  of  the  i>osition.  ^\•ith  its  oft- 
times  judicial  characteristics;    a   steady  ]mrsuit  of  a   non-partisan  course   in 
executing  the  by-laws  of  the  Chamber  governing  the  Exchange  ;   a  fixed  intent 
to  make  the  material  aflforded  by  a  well-organized  system  of  statistics  useful 
in  showing  the  standing  and  growth  of  our  city  in  art,  industry  and  commerce 
— in  short  a  determination  to  do  that  which  he  could  in  accordance  with  the 
sentiment  so  well  expressed  in  the  following  verse  from  the  appropriate  hymn 
he  contributed  to  the  dedicatory  exercises  of  this  beautiful  commercial  home: 
"Within   these  walls   of   strength   and   grace 
May  honor  find  a  dwc'.ling  place: 
May  jnstice  reign:    nu'V  truth  alndc: 
May  right  prevail  and  wisdom   guide." 

That  he  has  aimed  to  act  up  to  the  inspiratiim  of  this  sentiment  iii  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  in  our  behalf  needs  no  declaration  from  your  committee, 
not  only  is  each  memlier  of  the  Chaml)er  his  witness,  but  there  have  come  to 
him  from  many  directions — from  lousiness  men  at  home  and  abroad,  from  sta- 
tisticians, from  political  economists,  from  legislators,  from  consuls — testimon- 
ials of  high  appreciation  of  his  work,  which  must  be  not  only  truly  acceptable 
to  him  but  a  gratifying  assurance  that  his  labors  in  our  midst  in  the  interests 
of  commerce,  have  been  well  performed. 

In  bearing  this  tribute  to  the  ;iccept;iliility  of  the  ser\  ices  of  our  retiring 
su])erintendent,  there  reiuains  for  us  to  s;iy  that  his  record  is  ours,  and  to 
extend  our  thanks  and  best  wishes  for  his  future  ])rosperity,  together  with 
hopes  that  our  Chamber  will  not  flag  in  ettorts  tn  sustain  the  st.anihird  for 
usefulness  to  which  he  has  contributed  so  iiuportant  a  part. 

See  next  pape  - 

97 


o 


5  -o 


^19  2 

o     J:  .»-  ^ — 
■*-.    (A 

^    -   ^  *2 

^'^'^^ 


q8 


°^c/N■^^^^^' 


[F.  .4,  Xeuhuiter.  Artist] 


The  Business  Men's  Club  Quarters 

1903-1911  , 


THE  DEDICATORY  POEM. 

By  J  anus  A.   Grccii. 

Like  to  the  poet's  ship  of  pearl, 

Which  still  outgrew  its  narrow  walls. 

.So  we  expanding  year  by  year. 

Kind  liere  at  last  these  lofty  halls. 

They  rise  in   beauty  and  in   strength, 

-Adorned   to  please  the  artist's  eye. 
With  all  exacting  taste  could  choose. 

And  all  unstinted  cash  could  l>uy. 
****** 
Xo  pent-up  Utica  for  us! 

Plenty  of  elbow  room  to  spare. 
Plenty  of  room  in  which  to  grow. 

Abundance  both  of  light  and  air. 

.\bundance.   too.   of   other   things 

That  to  the  inner  man  are  dear; 
Hunger  and   thirst   are  banished   quite 

And  in  their  places  rules  King  Good  Cheer. 

This  splendid  place  a  symbol  is 

Of  progress  all  along  the  line; 
Xo  bushel  hides  our  beaming  lights — 

Undimmed  forever  may  they  shine. 

Our  past  is  full  of  good  deeds  done. 

Our  future's  full  of  hope  and  clieer; 
Oh,  may  we  fight  for  civic  right 

Through  every  day  of  every  year. 

May,  1903 


99 


The  Rotunda  of  Business  Men's  Club,  1906. 


The  Lounging  Room. 
loo 


Business  Men's  Club  Quarters,  1903-1911 


Club  Beginnings. 

Twenty-four  j-ouiig  men.  not  one  of  them  over 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  gathered  for  their  first 
called  meeting  at  the  Grand  Hotel,  Saturday,  Novem- 
ber 26,  1892,  and  there  founded  the  "Young  Men's 
Business  Club"  of  Cincinnati.  An  Executive  Com- 
mittee of  six  j-oung  men,  Frank  G.  Rush,  Andreas  K. 
Burkhardt,  Robert  H.  AIcGee.  J.  E.  Zimmerman. 
Frank  F.  Dinsmore,  and  J.  E.  Poorman,  Jr.,  ap- 
pointed at  a  preliminary  meeting,  November  12tli. 
with  Frank  G.  Rush,  chairman,  had  met  on  Novem- 
ber 19th,  and  had  already  outlined  plans  of  organiza- 
tion. On  November  26th,  all  those  interested  met. 
formed  the  Club  and  elected  permanent  officers.  On 
December  10th,  the  first  monthly  dinner,  held  in  the 
Convention  Hall  of  the  Grand  Hotel,  was  attended 
by  over  si.xty  young  men  and  was  addressed  b\' 
prominent  speakers. 

"It  is  our  object  to  imite  the  representative  young 
men  of  Cincinnati  and  vicinity,  engaged  in  the  vari- 
ous mechanical,  commercial  and  professional  pur- 
suits, for  the  purpose  of  becoming  better  acquainted 
by  frequent  association;  of  rendering  assistance  to 
one  another  in  many  ways;  and  of  having  discussed 
at  our  meetings,  b}'  prominent  citizens,  such  sidijects 
as  will  lead  to  our  future  success,  and  prepare  us  to 
take  the  places  destined  for  us,  hereafter,  as  leaiHng 
citizens," 

Thus  reads  the  first  letter  inviting  other  3"oun,g 
business  men  to  co-operate  in  the  founding"  of  the 
Club.  The  originators,  who  became  the  first  perma- 
nent otflcers.  were,  Frank  G.  Rush.  President;  An- 
dreas E.  Burkhardt,  first  Vice-President:  J.  E.  Poor- 
man.  Jr.,  second  Vice-President;  Robert  H.  McGee. 
Corresponding  Secrefary;  Frank  A.  McGee,  Record- 
ing Secretary;  J.  E.  Zimmerman,  Treasurer;  Execu- 
tive Committee:  Frank  F.  Dinsmore,  L.  C.  Goodwin. 
Millard  W.  Mack.  Dr.  C.  G.  Smith.  R.  H.  Rahe, 
Chas.  T.  Greve. 

The  Grand  Hotel  was  the  place  of  meeting  from 
November,  1892.  until  October,  1897,  when  head- 
quarters were  changed  to  the  Pike  Building.  From 
April  1,  1898,  to  August,  1899,  the  Hotel  Emery  was 
the  Club  home;  from  August  24th  to  November  ,50. 
1899,  the  Pike  Building  was  again  used;  the  Her- 
schede  Building  tlien  became  headquarters  until 
May,  1903,  when  the  rooms  in  the  Chamlier  of  Com- 
inerce  were  ready  for  occupancy.  At  first,  no  men 
over  thirty  years  of  age  were  eligible  for  member- 
ship. In  1896,  the  Club  incorporated  "to  promote 
the  best  interests  of  Cincinnati,"  and  in  July,  1899. 
the  name  was  changed  to  "The  Business  Men's  CIul) 
of  Cincinnati." 


George  Puchta. 
President,  1901-1902. 


Edwin  C.  Gibbs. 
President,  1902-1903. 


;  HiHsm.lh  I'liolo] 

William  P.  Deppe. 
Chairman,  Building  Committee. 


101 


ClNXlNXATl    ASTKONCIMRAU    SciClKTY 


\  Studio  Grand  I 
H.  n.  Crane, 
Building  Committee. 


[SliHli<i  CrdHill 

Harvey  E.  Hannaford, 
Building  Committee. 


(  Benjamin  S(iidio\ 

Harry  T.  Atkins, 
Building  Committee 


Larger  Quarters  Needed. 

.SiHin  aft(,'r  llu'  flcrsclu-ilc  liuililiiiM  Ijccanu-  the 
Clul)  home,  the  growth  in  nicniborship  made  ihc 
search  for  larger  quarters  necessary.  In  President 
Cluircli"s  administration,  1900-1901.  exhaustive  study 
of  the  question  of  a  new  home  was  made,  I'Vom  the 
very  start  of  Mr.  George  I'uchta's  Presidency,  the 
Building  Coniniiltee,  with  Mr.  W.  P.  Dcppc  chair- 
man, began  its  search  for  the  most  favoralile  location, 
l-'roni  over  thirty  ])ro])ositions,  covering  both  exclus- 
ive Club  ])roperty  and  leased  premises,  tlie  Commit- 
tee recommended  tlie  upper  floors  of  the  Clianiber 
of  Commerce  Building.  In  March,  1902,  negotia- 
tions were  opened  and  terms  agreeable  to  both  par- 
tics  were  soon  reached.  The  Board  of  Governors 
sul)mitted  the  question  of  removal  to  a  vote  of  the 
membership  on  .\pril  17th.  with  favorable  results. 
The  Board  proceeded  to  secure  subscriptions  to  the 
Club  bonds,  after  whicli  tlie  lease  with  the  Chamlier 
was  signed  on  July  22,  1902.  .Actual  work  was  de- 
layed until  (_)ctober  by  legal  proceedings  in  the 
Chamber  questioning  the  validity  of  the  contracts. 
The  decisions  favored  the  Clul).  Labor  troubles 
prevented  progress  in  December  and  January.  How- 
ever, the  rooms  were  complete  and  ready  for  the 
dedication  exercises  May  12  and  1.3.  1903.  The 
Building  Committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  W.  P. 
l)e]ii)e,  chairman;  H.  D.  Crane,  Jas.  .\.  Collins,  H.  1- . 
Hannaford.  K.  F.  Du  Brul:  with  the  later  addiliMii 
of  Mr.  J.  G.  Wright,  and  Mr.  H.  T.  Atkins,  who  re- 
placed Mr.  Du  Brul,  whom  prolonged  absence  from 
the  city  caused  to  retire.  These  men,  with  tiie 
Boards  of  Governors  under  Presidents  Puchta  and 
Gibbs,  brought   the  new  quarters  to  completion. 

Dedication  Exercises,  May  12-13,  lPli3.  A  recep- 
tion to  members,  their  wives  and  guests,  took  place 
Tuesday  evening,  7  to  12  p.  m.  Two  thousand  at- 
tended, and  took  part  in  the  promenade  walk  about 
the  rooms,  just  finished  and  profusely  decorated  with 
flowers.  Light  refreshments  were  served  in  the 
main  dining  room.  Wednesday  morning,  at  11 
o'clock,  the  procession,  marching  in  four  divisions, 
left  the  Herschede  Building  and.  preceded  by  a  corps 
of  police  and  the  Club's  band,  reached  the  floor  of 
'Change.  Here  Captain  Ellison,  President  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  welcomed  the  Club  ofticially 
and  personally  in  a  few  words:  "First,  as  business 
men,  for  the  reason  that  we  believe  that  in  your 
Club  we  have  secured  a  most  desirable  tenant  in  part 
of  our  building  for  a  long  terin  of  years,  a  tenant 
that  will  l)e  beneficial  to  this  .Association;  second, 
and  always  and  above  the  first  reason,  we  welcome 
you  as  friends  and  as  brothers,  striving  in  your  or- 
ganization, as  we  (111  in  i>urs,  for  all  that  stands  for 
the  good  <'l  Cincinnati's  prosperity  and  business 
iiite'.;rit\'." 

I'rrsiclciii  I'.ihviii  C.  Gibbs  relumed  he.irtkit 
th:iiiks  |i>  President  Kllison's  warm  and  cordial  wel- 
come: "We  fully  appreciate  the  kind  sentiment 
whicli  causes  you  to  extend  to  us  the  right  hand  of 
good-fellowship  on  this  occasion,  and  we  gratefully 
grasp  that  hand.  How  ])eculiarly  fitting  it  is  that 
the  two  foremost  commercial  bodies  of  this  city 
should  thus  stand  hand  in  hand.  To  me  the  omen 
is  most  significant,  and  most  clearly  predicts  the 
forging  of  a  strong  bond  between  us.  With  mutual 
respect  and  confidence,  we  can  boldly  face  the  fu- 
ture, feeling  assured  tlial,  as  we  work  together  in 
harmony,  the  increased  growth  and  usefulness  of 
each  organization  must  follow.  Concerted  action  on 
the  part  of  two  such  bodies  will  accomplish  the  most 
momentous   results. 


ICourU-sy  nf  Wm.  R.   fSuldle] 


The  Ladies'  Dining  Rooms. 


The  Banquet  Room. 

'03 


The  BilUard  Room. 


Courtesy  of  Henry  Gnukiach.  Jr.] 


[Courtesy  of  IVm.  K.  ISiddlc] 


The  Business  Men's  Club  Office,  1906. 


104 


BusixEss  Mkx's  Club  Quarters,  1903-1911 


"We  are  truly  happy  to  find  a  permanent  home 
in  this  great  building,  and  sincerely  trust  that  in  the 
verj-  near  future  the  other  commercial  organizations 
of  that  city  may  also  find  lodgment  under  your 
broad  and  hospitable  roof. 

"We  are  grateful  for  this  reception,  and  extend 
to  you  a  cordial  invitation  to  now  proceed  with  us 
to  our  new  quarters  in  the  floors  above,  and  join  us 
in  our  dedicatorj-  exercises." 

The  dedication  e.xtrcises  began  at  12  o'clock  witli 
prayer  by  the  sole  honorary  memlier  of  the  Cluli  at 
that  time.  Rev.  Charles  Frederick  Goss: 

"Our  Father,  we  have  climbed  above  the  war  of 
traffic  in  our  city  streets  to  make  a  silence  in  our 
hearts.  We  have  been  prompted  to  do  this  by  that 
impulse  which  is  common  to  humanity  at  all  criti- 
cal events,  because  we  are  about  to  take  possession 
of  a  new  home  for  this  Business  Men's  Club,  and 
enter  upon  a  new  era  of  its  existence.     *     *     *     * 

"We  desire  to  see  great  palaces  of  industry  and 
a  reign  of  temporal  prosperity;  we  long  to  see  com- 
mercial supremacy  of  the  Queen  City  of  the  West, 
but  more  than  this  and  better  than  this,  our  hearts 
desire  to  see  that  day  arrive  when  Justice  may  be 
enthroned  in  our  courts.  Integrity  receive  the  scep- 
tre in  our  marts  of  trade.  Righteousness  be  supreme 
in  our  city  government,  and  Virtue  crowned  in  our 
homes.  To  these  great  ends,  first,  last,  and  always, 
we  pray  that  these  business  men  may  be  consecrated; 
and  to  them  and  through  them  we  dedicate  these 
rooms,  praying  that  Thou  wilt  help  us  to  lie  true  to 
the  great  trusts  of  human  life.     .\men." 

After  music.  Mr.  Deppe,  for  the  Building  Com- 
mittee, delivered  the  key  of  the  new  quarters  and 
sketched  the  different  steps  in  the  securing  of  these 
rooms,  calling  special  attention  to  the  proud  fact, 
"that  the  new  quarters  are  the  production  of  our 
own  citizens,  from  the  architect  to  the  artists  who 
placed  the  finishing  touches  on  the  walls." 

President  Gibbs  then  accepted  the  key  on  behalf 
of  the  Board  of  Directors.  After  commenting  on  the 
faithful  work  of  the  Committee,  the  architects  and 
contractors,    and    on    the    obstacles    overcome,    said: 

"Gentlemen    of   the    Club,    in    accepting,    in    your 
name,    these   beautiful   rooms,    I    most   heartih'   con- 
gratulate you.     I  feel  assured  that  you  will  use  them 
profitably  and  enjoy  them  to  the  utmost;    here — 
"May  honor  find  a  dwelling  place; 
May  justice  reign;    may  truth  abide; 
May   right   prevail   and   wisdom   guide." 

"The  opening  of  these  quarters  marks  an  import- 
ant era  not  onlj'  in  the  life  of  the  Club,  but  in  that 
of  our  city  as  well.  Xine  3^ears  ago,  ten  young  men 
associated  themselves  together  to  discuss,  at  stated 
times,  matters  relating  to  the  general  interests  of 
Cincinnati.  The  wildest  dreamer  of  those  ten  men 
would  not  have  ventured  the  prediction  that,  in  nine 
years,  the  seed  thus  planted  would  grow  to  a  menir 
bership  of  one  thousand,  and  that  the  modest  room 

105 


[HrlLimilh  I'l,„l„] 

J.  Gano  Wright. 
Building  Committee. 


^::,  ::,:  Grand] 

James  C.  Hobart. 
President,  1903-1904. 


■  '>l!ttiio  Grand] 
Thomas  J.  Moffett. 
President.  1904-1905. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Sociktv 


C7^(ZH(/| 


Albert  Bettint;cr. 
President,  1905-1906. 


,ii,d\ 


Edward  E.  Shipley. 
President,  1906-1907. 


\Stu<iio  Grand\ 

Frank  H.  Shaffer. 
President,  1907-1908. 


tliat  tlun  iiKi  all  lluir  wants  wmild  expand  tu  such 
palatial  ]>r(ipiirti(ins.  Anil  yi-t  tln'  j^rowth  of  our 
dull  has  (inly  lifcn  in  unison  with  the  development 
of  (luf  city,  and  thriuiL'.h  the  puri.ils  of  our  new  home, 
winch  \\  r  toda_\-  loi'niail\'  open,  I  can  see  for  us  a 
licld  of  broader  usefulness.  Cincinnati  is  on  the  eve 
of  a  most  glorious  dawn.  The  warm  sun  of  civic 
pride  and  progrcssivcness  will  rise  ami  shine  as 
never  before,  and  those  who  have  been  the  archi- 
tects of  the  jiast  will  become  tlu-  builders  of  the 
future." 

After  another  piece  of  music,  the  V'ice-l'resident, 
\li  II.  I,  \tkins,  responded  to  the  motto,  "For  the 
lloiioi"  and  ('.lory  of  Cincinnati."  .\fter  referring  to 
the     artistic     beauty     of     their     new      home,     he     s.'ii<l: 

"lint  .greater  and  .grander  tb.in  all  these  material 
surroundings  is  the  sjiirit  of  ci\ic  |iride  that 
protnpted  and  upheld  these  labors  from  bcgitming 
to  end.  This  spirit  is  the  bond  of  our  strength  and 
union;  it  has  made  all  our  trinttiplis  possible — cul- 
minating in  the  one  thought,  that  no  better  motto 
could  t)e  inscrdK'd  upon  our  C'lub  b.inner  than  'bor 
the    Honor   and    C/lorx'    of   Cincinnati.' 

"  i'he  love  for  our  city  has  ever  been  the  inspira- 
ticni  of  every  effort.  Xo  call  to  duty  lias  been  too 
great;  no  bLbor  to  Ik-  performed  too  severe  in  earnest 
eii(lea\'or  \\<v  i<\n  city's  welfare. 

"When  another  decade  of  our  Club's  history  shall 
havi-  passed  and  the  history  of  unr  city  shall  be 
written,  let  us  hope  that  a  greater  Cincinnati,  beau- 
tilied  ,inil  glorilied,  sh.ill  have  reached  a  higlier 
pl.iiie.  because  a  thousand  good  fellows,  a  tlKuisand 
willin.g  hearts,  a  thousand  l.>usiness  men,  at  this 
dedication  of  their  new  home,  as  lovers  of  their  city, 
dedicated  not  only  iheir  new  quarters,  but  the  very 
best  of  their  servici'  and  .ability  'For  the  Honor  and 
Clory  of  Citicinnati.'  " 

-\  new  nation:il  song,  dedicated  to  the  Club,  was 
then  read  by  its  author.  Prof.  W.  H.  Venable,  and 
accottipanied  liy  a  brief  patriotic  address,  national  in 
its  scope.  Then  followed  the  Dedication  Foem,  com- 
posed and  read  by  James  .Albert  Creen. 

Moll,  Julius  h'leishtnatm,  Mayor  of  the  city,  in 
welcoming  other  commercial  Ijodies,  spoke  of  the 
loyalt}'  of  the  Club  t.j  the  highest  interests  of  the 
cit\',  of  its  share  in  the  recent  civic  awakening  and 
toruard  tnovement,  and  the  propriety  of  celebratin,g 
in  this  |iublic  w'.i\'.  the  occupation  of  its  new  qtiartcTS. 

The  or.ation  of  the  day  was  given  by  Lieutenant- 
C.overnor  Harry  1,.  Gordon.  He  spoke  of  the  civic 
awakening  in  all  great  .American  cities  and  of  the 
way  in  which  our  city  is  making  phenomenal  pro.g- 
ress.  He  urged  the  Club  to  be  at  the  front  in  every 
battle  for  the  city's  upbuilding,  as  in  the  past. 

.\fter  the  bancpiet  in  the  evenin.g.  ju<l.ge  D.  D. 
Woodmansee  spoke  on  "The  City  of  Cincinnati"; 
Hrin.  Theo.  E.  Burton  on  "The  State  of  Ohio";  Hon. 
John   B.   Castlem.in   on   "The   State   of   Kentucky." 

lo6 


The  Grill  Room. 


\Cn,(rl,-iy  nf  llm,  K  Hidille\ 


ClNClXXATI    ASTROXOMICAI.    SoCilCTY 


|V(,„/,„  (,v„ii,;| 
C.  H.  M.  Atkins. 
President,  1908-1909. 


A.  J.  Conroy. 
President,  1909-1910. 


Mlclu,  t,>,iii,/i 


Walter  J.  Wichgar. 
President,  1910-1911. 


Hon.  J;>lin  I.,  (irillhlis.  ni  In(li:ni;ip(ilis.  in  re- 
sponding to  the  toast,  "The  State  of  Indiana,"  spoke 
in    praise   of  the  architect  of  the  new  quarters: 

"I  want  to  congratulate  the  Business  Men's  Club 
of  Cincinnati  upon  its  magnificent  new  home.  There 
is  something  in  splendid  architecture  which  always 
appeals  to  us.  Tlic  architect  is  too  often  forgotten. 
He  seldom  finds  his  reward  in  popular  applause,  liut 
in  the  consciousness  of  work,  beautifully  and  sin- 
cerely, and  serenely  and  enduringly  done.  I  want  to 
pay  my  tribute  to  Mr.  Hannaford,  who  conceived 
tliesc  noble  rooms,  and  wlio  has  made  his  concep- 
tion so  instinctive  with  beamy  and  charm." 

His  characterization  of  the  people  of  these  mid- 
(\\v  Western  States,  and  his  eulogy  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln were  unusually  fine.  He  defined  the  kind  of 
patriotism  needed  in  times  of  peace  as  that  wliich 
will  rule  our  l)ig  cities  without  corruption,  specula- 
lion  and  exploitation. 

".\merica  should  stand  for  justice  and  trutli,  for 
mercy  and  valor,  for  high  resolve  and  lofty  achievc- 
nuiit.  It  should  stand  for  the  purest  ideals  in  priv- 
ate life  and  public  service,  asking  no  questions, 
making  no  l^argains,  and  striking  no  lialances  to 
ascertain  what  a  thing  will  pay,  Init  anxit)us,  only, 
to  know  if  it  is  right." 

With  a  unanimous  rising  vote  of  tiianks  to  the 
speakers  of  the  evening,  the  Business  Men's  Club 
adjourned. 

The  Iiigh  purpose  and  resolve  manifested  in  the 
Dedication  I'.xercises,  given  quite  in  detail  above, 
reflect  tile  real  life  and  spirit  of  tlie  organization 
from  its  very  beginning.  The  enlarged  quarters 
meant  increased  activity  for  public  good  and  civic 
betterment.  Hundreds  of  acts,  recommendations, 
journeys,  deeds  of  encouragement,  relief  and  sacri- 
fice, to  the  credit  and  good  name  of  Cincinnati,  fol- 
lowed from  the  day  the  Clul)  took  possession  of  its 
Home  in  the  Chamljer  of  Commerce  Building. 

-\  synopsis  of  the  leading  events  in  the  Roster 
for  l911  shows  an  average  of  about  one  important 
matter  a  week  on  which  the  Club  declared  itself,  or 
in  wliich  it  participated. 

Sinking  b'und  trustees,  provided  for  by  an  amend- 
ment to  the  by-laws.  September  8,  1905,  to  receive  a 
specified  sum  from  the  quarterly  dues  of  members, 
were  cancelling  in  October  of  each  year,  a  one- 
tenth  ]iart  of  the  Club  bonds,  issued  to  furnish  the 
new  quarters,  the  sum  of  $4,850  a  year.  By  January, 
1910,  the  membership  was  increased  from  1,000  to 
l.ilKI. 

In  1910,  plans  for  a  merger  with  tlie  Chamber  of 
Coninierce.  which  h.ad  been  in  the  air  for  several 
years,  took  the  definite  form  of  a  proposition  worked 
out  by  the  two  boards  of  directors  in  conference. 
The  combined  .Association,  with  a  membership  lim- 
ited to  3,000,  was  to  have  the  name  "Chamber  of 
Commerce   and    Business    Men's   Club,"   taking   over 

loS 


Business  Mf.x's  Club  Quaktkks.   1903-191] 


the  property  and  assuming  the  assets  and  indelitc-d- 
ness  of  both  organizations.  On  April  5,  191(1,  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  directors  approved  the  plan. 
A  vote  by  the  Business  Men's  Club  stockholders  un 
June  14th,  gave  809  in  favor  and  47  against  tlie 
merger.  Following  public  meetings  on  'Chan.yL- 
June  16th  and  17th,  a  special  election  by  ballot  was 
set  for  June  30th.  The  campaign  was  one  of  wide- 
spread interest  and  excitement  among  members  tit 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  ended  with  tlie  de- 
feat of  the  proposed  merger  by  a  vote  of  228  in  favor 
and  324  opposed.  Total  vote,  552.  Following  this 
decision,  on  July  1st,  the  Business  Men's  Club  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  on  New  Quarters. 


"It  is  easy  to  see,  hard  to  foresee,"  said  Ben 
Franklin.  While  about  200  members  and  guests  oi 
the  West  Cincinnati  Business  Association  were  hold- 
ing a  banquet  in  the  rooms  of  the  Club,  Janu.iry  10, 
1911,  a  flame  flashing  up  from  meat  broilers  in  tlie 
kitchen,  set  fire  to  greasj'  soot  in  the  flue.  The 
fierce  heat  communicated  in  some  way  to  light 
wooden  partitions  on  the  eighth  floor  and  to  very 
combustible  materials  and  supplies  stored  thirt-.  and 
in  a  very  few  minutes  was  beyond  contrcil.  Word 
passed  to  the  banquet  room  warning  everyljody  to 
leave  the  building,  was  fortunately  heeded  and  every 
guest  reached  outdoors  in  safety.  Almost  witliout 
warning,  the  hundreds  of  tons  of  weight  of  the  sus- 
pended floors  caused  a  giving  away  of  the  iron  truss 
work,  heated  by  these  sudden  flames  in  the  attic. 
Twenty  minutes  after  the  fire  began,  came  a  col- 
lapse of  the  south  half  of  the  interior,  carrying  down 
everything  from  roof  to  basement,  but  leaving  the 
north  half  almost  intact.  That  six  lives  on!}'  were 
sacrificed,  was  a  marvel,  whereas  had  it  happened 
during  certain  business  hours  many  hundreds  niiglit 
have  been  caught  bj-  the  unforseen  danger. 


So  January  10,  1911,  closes  the  history  of  these 
quarters  of  the  Business  Men's  Club,  as  tiie  turn  of 
later  events  proved.  While  the  loss  to  the  Club, 
above  insurance,  was  about  $35,000,  the  loss  to  the 
Chamber  was  far  greater,  possibly,  $400,000,  besides 
making"  the  sacrifice  of  the  entire  structure  with  its 
incomparable  architecture  and  its  wealth  of  associa- 
tion, a  possibility.  On  February  3rd,  the  Clul)  passed 
resolutions  of  sympathy  with  the  Chamber  over  the 
loss  of  their  building.  Xearly  eight  years  of  tlu- 
Club's  life  and  activity  center  about  the  upper  floors 
of  the  Richardson  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Despite 
the  unforseen  ending,  ma}'  the  memory  of  those 
years  be  ever  pleasant ! 


^^P"^^! 

^H>/^H 

[  lU-njafttht  Stttitw 

William  E.  Hutton. 
President,  1911-1912. 


Fourth  St.  Roof  Dormer  Details. 
Eagles. 


lOQ 


CiNCixxATi  Astronomical  Socikty 


iriu.ln.  ;.v  R„ym„ii,l\ 


William  Watts  Taylor. 

1847-1913. 
"Master  of  Rookwood." 


MUNICIPAL  ART  SOCIETY  OF  CINCINNATI 


.\pril   10,  1913. 
Mk.  \ )]-.], \^].v.  Stewart,  President. 

Cincinnati  A.'itroiiomical  Socict}', 
City. 

Dear  Sir: 

In  response  to  your  suggestion  I  write  tn  assure  you  that  the  .Mnnici|>.-il 
An  ,Si)cietv  continues  its  interest  in  the  jiroject  tn  use  the  arche>  and  nther 
material  from  the  former  Chaniher  of  Commerce  in  the  erection  of  the  pro- 
posed <  )l)>er\  atcir\ .  (  )nr  contrihntion  In  that  rml,  made  some  time  ago.  mani- 
fested our  interest  in  this  matter  and  oiu'  \  iew  of  the  desirahility  of  ])reser\  ing 
Sfi  important  a  ]iart  of  this  representatix  e  work  of  a  great  architect. 

We  are  glad  to  know  that  the  preliminary  e\]>ense  to  linally  seriu-e  thi- 
material  has  heen  met,  and  exjiress  our  cordial  interest  in  your  ellorts  to  carry 
the  project  to  completion. 

It  would  embody  in  ;i  new  structure  the  most  distinctive  decoratix'e 
features  of  the  original  building  and  would  constitute  an  important  addition 
to  our  iHiblic  architecture  here.  Yours  very  truly, 

W.  \\".  Tam.ok,  Pn-sidriit. 


THE  PRESERVATION   OF  THE  GRANITE  ARCHES 
AND  WALLS  AFTER  THE  FIRE. 

In  the  intcr\al  hulwcen  t!ie  ?a'e  of  the  L'hanihcr  of  C'unimcrcc  [iroiuTty 
to  the  L'nicin  Central  IJfe  Insurance  Co.  in  jiil>',  1911,  ami  the  clearinji;  oft'  (}f 
the  site  for  the  new  skyscra])er,  many  attempts  were  made  to  have  the  outer 
walls  preserved  for  re-erecti<in.  Amonjj  the  projects  considered  were  their 
use  for  a  new  Y.  .M.  C.  .\.  building  at  I  laniiltun,  (  )hio,  where  it  was  found  that 
smaller  construction  units  were  recjuired  ;  a  museum  in  the  form  of  a  medieval 
castle  in  ruins,  in  the  valley  apjiroachinsj  Eden  Park,  which  failed  to  secure  the 
appro\al  i>\  }Jr.  Kessler  and  the  Park  P)Oard  ;  Oherlin  College,  thru  Air.  Cass 
Gilbert,  investigated  their  adaptation  for  one  of  its  new  Iniildings,  Ijut  their 
great  dimensions  and  the  transportation  cost  prevented  their  use  :  sketches 
were  drawn  for  an  entr;incc  office  at  the  Zoo  constructed  fmrn  the  h'nurth 
Street  arches  and  corner  towers,  and  careful  estimates  had  been  made  of  the 
cost  for  Mr.  Draper  and  officers  of  the  Alunicijial  Art  Society;  some  interior 
jHilished  marble  bases,  ccilunnis  and  arches  were  also  lieing  sought  by  the  Art 
Aluseum;  several  good  suggestions  appeared  in  the  public  pres--,  but  the 
difficulty  in  all  cases  was  the  financial  one. 

By  November,  1911,  fiu"tlier  delay  in  reniip\ing  the  walls  l)ecame  impos- 
sible, and  Harig  &  Co.  found  no  alternati\'e  but  to  have  the  upper  parts  of  the 
stonework  hauled  ti)  the  Big-Four  Railway,  to  use  for  purposes  of  track  bal- 
last on  their  Indianapolis  Division. 

About  November  20,  consultations  were  begun  by  officers  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Astronomical  Society,  with  Harig  &  Co.,  Garber  &  Woodward,  the  Union 
Central  Life  Insurance  Co.,  Air.  W.  ^Y.  Taylor  and  Mr.  Gest  of  the  Mtmicipal 
Art  Society,  and  Mr.  Draper  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  with  reference  to 
placing  all  of  the  great  arches  and  'ither  valuable  ])ortions  i  if  the  Iniilding,  at 
the  disposal  of  the  Society  for  later  use  as  the  walls  nf  an  .\stronomical 
Observatory. 

Search  for  downtown  vacant  lots  for  storage  gave  no  results  except  high 
rental  prices  and  risk  of  cjuick  removal  in  case  of  sale  of  the  lots.  Cost  of 
drayage  from  Fourth  and  \'ine  Streets  was  first  inclndcil  in  the  estimated  cost, 
but  later  Harig  &  Co.  agreed  to  assume  this  expense  and  place  the  material 
free  on  board  the  B.  &  O.  flat  cars  at  the  Plum  Street  yards.  This  reduced 
the  estimated  cost  from  $5,000  or  $8,000  down  to  a  much  smaller  figure,  more 
within  the  range  of  i)ossibility.  The  wreckers  had  by  this  time  reached  the 
tops  of  the  largest  arches  at  the  southeast  corner,  and  no  time  could  be  lost 

Finally,  at  a  meeting  (jf  the  (  )ptiniist  L'lub,  ."Saturday,  1  )ecember  ind. 
Mr.  \V.  \\  .  Taylor,  wdio  could  not  bear  to  see  the  fine  .arches  di>appear  witlmut 
a  last  appeal,  made  an  earnest  plea  for  their  preservation,  and  made  an  offer 
on  the  part  of  the  Municipal  Art  Society  to  subscribe  $300  frcim  their  accumu- 
lated funds,  toward  the  cost  of  jilacing  the  material  mi  a  storage  Int.  In 
response  to  this  offer  and  ajjpeal,  members  of  the  (  )ptimist  and  Uueen  Cit_\- 
Clubs  added  about  $400  more  to  this  <iffer  at  that  time.  Except  for  Mr.  Tay- 
lor's timely  effort,  the  plan  to  store  the  material  would  h,i\e  failed. 

The  Cincinnati  F^rog  and  Switch  Co.,  thru  .Mr.  Ivl.  lleit/.man,  manager, 
oft'ered  the  use  of  a  couple  of  acres  .f  their  land  and  of  their  railro.ad  switches, 
thus  completing  the  ]ilan.  <  'n  l)eccniber  4th,  llarig  &  Co.'s  proposition  to 
deliver  the  granite  free  on  board  car.-  on  the  tracks  of  the  B.  &  ().  R.  R.  in  the 


?I2  I ;  '■'!' 


.1' 


c 
o 


S 

o 


Preservation  of  Granite  Arches  and  Walls  After  Fire 

city,  was  accepted  on  behalf  of  the  Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society  by  its 
president,  the  stone  to  be  shipped  to  Oakley  and  arran.o-ements  made  for  i)lac- 
ing  it  back  on  the  land.  Two  carloads  n\  arch  material,  alreadv  sent  to  the 
Big-Four  R.  R..  were  recalled  from  Lawrencebiirg  Junction,  thru  the  efl'orts 
of  G.  P.  Smith,  chief  engineer,  and  re-shipi)e(l  to  (Jakley.  From  December  4, 
1911,  to  March  15,  1912,  120  carloads  of  arch  and  wall  material  were  handled 
and  placed  on  the  lot.  This  was  about  two-thirds  of  all  the  granite  in  the 
building. 

To  cover  the  cost  of  this  work,  the  donations  alxjve  mentioned  were  sup- 
plemented by  liberal  help  from  400  individuals  and  firms,  who  were  .glad  to 
see  the  fine  arches  taken  care  of  and  plans  made  for  their  later  re-erection. 
Letters  of  endorsement  were  given  to  the  project  bv  the  jiresideiit  and  directors 
of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  the  I'.usiness  Alen's  Club,  and  the  Cincinnati 
Chapter  of  the  American  Institute  of  Architects.  These  letters  and  the  promi- 
nent names  of  early  subscribers,  heliied  decidedlv  in  securing  the  entire  cost 
of  preser\-ing  the  granite. 


CINCINNATI  CHAPTER 

AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  ARCHITECTS 

CINCINNATI.  OHIO 

Resolution  Adopted  by  the  Cincinnati  Chapter,  A.  I.  A.,  May  19.  1914. 

Whereas,  the  old  Chamber  of  Commerce  designed  by  11.  11.  Richardson 
was  considered  one  of  his  masterpieces  and  embodied  a  beautiful  arcade  of 
arched  windows  on  the  main  floor,  and, 

\VherEas,  it  appears  that  the  Cincinnati  Astronomical  Societv  secured 
the  material  which  was  saved  from  the  removal  of  the  old  building,  including 
these  arches  along  with  a  sufficient  amount  nf  the  ashlar  facing  surn  luiiding 
the  same,  with  the  object  of  inc(jrporating  this  material  in  a  future  building, 
which  will  be  erected  for  the  purpose  of  an  Observatory,  the  design  of  which 
is  arranged  to  incorporate  and  preserve  this  arcade  \ery  much  along  the  lines 
of  the  original  design  : 

Therefore,  be  it  Rcsolz'cd.  That  the  Cincinnati  Chapter  of  the  A.  I.  A. 
heartily  approve  and  indnrse  this  project,  which,  if  executed  in  the  proposed 
manner,  will  serve  to  restore  and  perpetuate  this  beautiful  design  by  so  emi- 
nent a  master,  and  be  useful  and  instructive  at  all  times  as  a  splendid  piece  of 
architecture,  ser\'ing  as  a  model  for  students  in  the  !\(iinanes<|ue  st_\  le  in  which 
this  \vork  was  conceived. 

The  old  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  in  its  day  and  gener.-itinn  CMUsidered 

bv   far  the   finest  example  of  pure  architectural   design   in   the    Rumanesque 

school  in  this  country.     The  Chapter  is  gratified  to  know  that  Cincinnati  is 

placed  in  a  position  to  be  able  to  pdint  to  at  least  a  partial  restoration  of  this 

work  as  embodied  in  the  plans  nf  the  Astrtinimiical  Society. 

****** 

I  am  sending  you  herewith  a  cojiy  of  the  resolutinn  adopted  b}'  the  Cin- 
cinnati Chapter  of  the  American  Institute  nf  Architects  at  their  last  regu- 
lar meeting.  _        Yours  very  respectfully, 

Jos.  G.  Steinkamp,  Secretary 

Cincinnati  Chapter,  .\.  1.  .\. 
Wednesday,  June  .\  1914. 

"3 


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114 


Thirty  Years  Progress  In  the  New  Astronomy 

Plans  for  the  Observatory  and  Home  of 
the  Cmcinnati  Astronomical  Society 


Bv  DeLisle  Stewart,  President* 


"Contemplated  as  one  vast  whole,  astronomy  is  the 
most  beautiful  monument  of  the  human  mind,  the  noblest 
record  of  its  intelligence. — Laf'Iacc. 

When  Galileo,  in  1609-10,  turned  his  newly-made  telescope  toward  the 
sky  and  found  mountains  and  valleys  on  the  moon,  dark  spots  upon  the  sun. 
as  also  that  there  were  visible  discs  to  the  planets  hut  not  to  the  fixed  stars: 
that  Venus  showed  phases  like  our  moon  ;  that  Jupiter  had  four  revolving 
satellites  and  Saturn  a  perplexing-  tri])le  furm — he  opened  up  an  epoch  in 
astronomy  and  in  human  thought  and  history.  His  first  "optick  tul.ie"  had 
about  the  power  of  a  good  opera  glass  of  today,  and  his  best  glass  later  had 
a  magnifying  power  of  aliout  32.  But  larger  k-n>e>  and  l)etter  instruments 
followed  rapidly,  and  in  varying  form  and  with  numerous  devices  fur  e.xact 
measurement,  the  telescope  has  continued  to  re\-eal  more  details  of  the  forms, 
motions  and  distances  of  the  hea\-enly  bodies.  For  two  centuries  and  a  half 
the  human  eye  at  the  telescope  served  as  the  sole  means  of  recording  astro- 
nomical data.  The  record  of  its  discoveries  and  triumphs  is  truly  marvelous! 
The  refinement  with  which  the  ])Ositiiins  of  the  heaxenly  bodies  are  deter- 
mined, their  past  motic;>ns  known,  antl  their  future  positions  predicted  by 
mathematical  analysis,  is  almost  beyond  belief. 

But  the  human  eye  is  not  perfect.  Xo  two  observers  have  eyes  just 
alike;  the  right  and  left  eye  are  unlike  in  alnmst  e\ery  jicrson;  the  state  of 
health,  amount  of  fatigue  or  wcjrry,  age,  strained  jiusitinn  in  uliserving,  all 
are  factors  in  the  correctness  of  one's  \'isual  rcci  ird.  A\'onderful  as  is  the 
retina  of  the  human  eye,  astronomers  long  Miught  a  sul)Stitute  for  it  in  a 
better  recording  medium  for  astronomical  data — this  substitute  was  at  last 
fc.iund  in  the  sensitive  chemical  film  of  the  photographic  plate. 

From  the  very  first  announcement  of  Daguerre's  discovery  in  1839,  astron- 
omers attempted  to  make  photographs  of  sun,  inoon  and  lirighter  stars,  and 
with  good  success,  considering  the  slowness  and  inconveniences  of  the 
early  processes.  But  it  was  not  until  the  perfecting  of  the  gelatine  dry-plate, 
in  1876,  and  its  coming  on  the  market  ciimniercially,  that  the  full  ad\  antage 
of  photography  was  revealed. 

Celestial  Photography  a  Success  with  Dry  Plates. 

The  wonderful  comet  of  188J.  which  is  remembered  the  world  ii\er  for 
its  brightness  and  extensive  tail.  \\a>  photographed  at  the  Cape  of  Ciood 
Hope,  South  Africa.  Its  Ijrilliance  was  so  great  in  sciuthern  latitudes  that 
Sir  David  Gill  had  a  local  photographer,  Mr.  Allis,  strap  his  camera  to  the 
Observatory  telescope  and,  by  keeping  the  clockwork  going,  while  sighting 
thru  the  eyepiece  on  the  head  of  the  comet,  gi\'e  a  half-hour  exposure.     Th.at 

"President's  Address  before  the  Hh  AiiiumI  MfOting.  -May  15.  19H.  at  Cincinnati  Sufiety  of  Natnral  History 

'15 


ClNl-lNNAll     ASTKONOMICAI.    SoClKTY 


was  encouraging;  so  he  next  tried  an  exposure  of  three  hours.  'J'he  resulting 
negative  showed  the  CDUiet  uji  fuiely,  and  in  addition  showed  mjriads  of 
sharp  star-images,  from  whicli  Dr.  Gill  got  the  idea  of  charting  the  sky 
by  lihotography.  lie  immediately  undertook  the  charting  of  large  regions 
of  the  southern  sky  by  this  new  process,  measuring  the  jjositions  of  the 
stars  directly  from  the  plates,  and  later  publishing  catalogs  of  their  position 
and  brightness. 

Copies  of  the  comet  picttire  which  he  sent  to  Europe  were  seen  by  the 
Henri  Brothers,  of  the  National  Observatory  at  Paris.  The\-  were  just  at 
that  time  re-charting  some  majis  nf  the  zodiac  near  the  Milky  ^^'ay,  where 
the  stars  are  so  plentiful.  The}-  resoK'ed  to  try  ])h(it(>Lrrapliy  instead  of 
visual  methods  of  registering  the  positions,  and  fnuud  it  a  cumplete  success. 

In  1SS7.  so  successful  had  the  new 
])lii itogra])hic  method  jiroved  that  an 
International  Astro-phott)graphic  As- 
sociation was  fnrmcd  by  eighteen  lead- 
ing obserx'atories  of  the  wurld.  tn 
co-ojierate  in  ])hotogra])liing  the  wlmle 
sky  and  cataloging  tlie  stars  from  these 
])lates.  v^uitable  telesco])es  were  de- 
\ised.  measuring  instruments  perfected 
and  formulae  for  reduction  worked  out, 
so  that  the  results  wotdd  form  a  har- 
monious and  accurate  census  (jI  the 
stars. 

As  truly  as  Galileo  began  an  epoch 
with  his  little  telescope,  just  as  surely 
did  the  entrance  of  the  ])hotographic 
plate  into  astronomy  inaugurate  an- 
other epoch — a  .\'rri'  /:")'(;. 


Great  Spiral  Nebula 

in  Constellation  of  the  Hunting  Dogs. 

Photo  made  by  G.  W.  Ritchey 

with  60-inch  Reflector,  Mt.  Wilson,  Cal. 

Total  exposure  of  10  hours,  45  minutes. 

April  7-8,  1910. 


Advantages  of  Photography  in 
Astronomy. 


The  pliotogra])hic  ])late  lias  Ijeen  a 
most  valuable  assistant  to  the  astron- 
omer in  his  researches  for  over  thirty  years  because  of  certain  very  distinct 
adxantages  which  it  possesses.     These  advantages  deser\e  mention. 

1  The  e\e  tires  after  a  \'ery  short  time  of  steady  loc iking  at  any  section 
of  sky.  Not  so  the  plate ;  it  is  tireless ;  in  less  than  an  hour  it  records  all 
tliat  the  eye  can  see  in  that  same  telescope.  With  each  additional  hour's 
exposure  on  the  same  region  still  fainter  detail  is  adde<l,  until  with  exposures 
of  four,  six,  or  even  ten  or  twelve  hours,  objects  absolute!}-  invisible  to  the 
human  eye  are  constantly  being  revealed.  This  cumulative  power  is  one 
ad\-antage  of  the  sensitive  lilm. 

2  Only  a  very  small  section  of  sky  is  seen  at  a  time  as  one  looks  thru  the 
eye])iece ;  but  the  ])hotographic  plate  frecjuently  covers  many  scjuare  degrees 
of  sky  area  in  the  one  exposure.  In  this  way  vast  regions  of  the  Milky  Way 
have  been  photographed  and  studied;  nebulae  of  vast  extent  have  been 
discovered  which  were  unsuspected  thru  the  eyepiece.     Thousands  of  stars 

ii6 


Thirty  Years'  Progress  ix  tiik  Xi;\v  Astronomy 

are  recorded  in  a  few  hours'  work,  which  would  have  cost  months  or  years  of 
effort  by  the  older  methods.  In  one  exposure  of  five  hours  in  the  Bruce 
Photographic  Telescope  at  Arequipa,  Peru,  fully  400,000  stars  recorded  their 
impressions  on  the  plate,  beside  large  expanses  of  nebulous  matter  in  won- 
derful detail.  The  astronomer's  recording  power  has  been  increased  more 
than  a  hundredfold  by  the  photographic  process. 

3  Between  Mars  and  Jupiter  have  been  found  several  hundred  minor 
planets,  or  asteroids.  The  largest  is  nearly  500  miles  in  diameter ;  they 
vary  from  that  down  to  a  diameter  of  just  a  few  miles.  The  visual  search 
for  them  required  the  mapping  of  all  the  stars  along  the  zodiac  to  form 
charts,  and  the  locating  of  these  moving  asteroids  among  the  fi.xed  stars 
involved  very  great  labor.  For  over  twenty  years  this  work  has  fallen  to 
the  photographic  plate,  for  the  moving  planets  show  as  "trails"  or  lines 
among  the  round  images  of  the  stars,  and  so  are  readily  detected.  Even 
when  an  accurate  ephemeris  of  an  asteroid's  path  is  at  hand,  time  is  saved 
by  having  the  regii  m  jilmtographed.  It  is  a  ccimmmi  experience  to  search 
several  evenings  with  a  visual  telescope  and  finally  have  to  call  in  the  aid 
of  the  camera,  which  picks  up  the  asteroid  readily  in  less  than  an  hour's 
exposure.  From  ten  to  fifteen  asteroids  can  be  obser\ed  in  one  night  on 
the  plates,  whereas  from  one  to  five  oidy  could  be  located  and  measured 
visualh'.    Their  positions  are  now  measured  directly  from  the  plates. 

Facility  and  Quickness  of  Making  the  Record. 
This  facilit}'  w'nh  which  asteroid  charts  are  taken  i-^  but  one  instance 
of  the  quickness  with  which  \aluable  records  are  made.  In  the  study  of 
sun-spots,  with  their  rapid  changes,  exposures  of  a  few  thousandths-of-a- 
second  record  the  details  over  the  whole  disc  of  the  sun ;  the  numerous 
craters,  mountain  ranges  and  flat  sea-beds  on  the  moon  are  readily  photo- 
graphed in  from  one  to  five  seconds.  The  pencil,  no  matter  how  skillful, 
is  unequal  to  this  task.  The  labor  has  lieen  very  greatlv  reduced  bv  the 
photographic  method  and  records  accumulated  on  plates  such  as  would 
have  been  impossible  by  former  methods,  or  would  have  required  centuries 
to  merely  record. 

4  Far  from  being  a  mere  plaything,  the  sensitive  film  has  proved  itself 
a  most  reliable  and  accurate  instrument  of  research.  Fear  was  early  expressed 
that  the  gelatine  film  might  shift  slightly  on  the  glass  in  the  processes  of 
development.  This  fear  has  proved  groundless  :  measures  taken  after  repeated 
immersions  in  the  chemicals  and  prolonged  washings  show  that  the  film 
returns  on  drying  to  its  former  position,  and  that  such  distortions  of  the 
film  are  not  greater  in  amount  than  the  one-thousandths  part  of  a  millimeter. 
Such  accurate  star-positions  are  now  derived  from  the  plates  that  new 
attachments  have  been  devised  f<ir  meridian  circles  to  eliminate  the  trouble- 
some "personal  equation"  affecting  all  transit  observations,  and  bring  them 
again  up  into  equality  with  the  photographic  results. 

The  micrometer,  which  formerly  was  used  only  at  the  eye  end  of  the 
equatorial  to  measure  the  directions  and  distances  of  stars  in  the  field  of 
view,  now  forms  a  part  of  the  specially  devised  jNIeasuring  Instrument,  with 
which  the  precise  positions  of  stars  and  nebulae  are  read  off  from  the  plates. 
So  faithfully  and  accurately  are  the  objects  found  to  be  registered  on  the 
plates,  that  the  precision  of  the  results  is  limited  by  our  own  lack  of  >kill 
in  measurement,  rather  than  by  any  errors  in  the  plates. 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Sociktv 

5  The  i)Iatcs  form  a  permanent  record  and  liislory  nf  the  sky.  Ivicli  plate 
is  numbered,  the  exact  times  and  all  the  nther  conditions  of  the  exposure 
are  recorded.  A  card-index  makes  every  ])late  accessible  lor  examination, 
and  frequentlx  a  luuidred  or  more  plates,  taken  durinji^  the  past  thirty  years, 
can  be  compared  to  trace  the  history  of  some  new  star,  some  strikinj"^  \ariable. 
some  j)eculiar  asteroid,  or  a  newly  discovered  satellite  of  Saturn  or  Ju])itcr. 
While  some  discoveries  are  made  from  the  immediate  examination  of  a  i)late, 
yet  by  far  the  greater  ])art  result  from  its  later  study.  Some  negatives  taken 
l)y  Rutherford  from  1870  to  1880  on  wet-plates  ha\  e  been  measured,  after  st) 
many  years,  at  the  Columljia  Uni\ersity  Observatory  with  extremely  \  aluable 
results. 

6  Photographv  allows  the  fullest  possible  use  to  be  made  of  all  clear 
weather  in  the  taking  of  exposures.  It  avoids  largely  the  making  of  difilTCult 
measures  under  physical  discomfort,  and  tran>fers  that  w  i  irk  to  the  comfort- 
able obser\atory  measurement-room  and  laboratory.  I'.conomy  of  ctTort 
also  restilts,  for  parts  of  the  examination  work  are  handled  by  day-workers 
with  regular  office  hours,  and  other  part^  1)\  the  night-observers  during  spells 
of  clotidv  weather.  Many  women  are  occupied  with  this  careful  examination 
and  measurement  of  plates  who  could  not  endure  the  >train  of  night-work. 
Deserved  fame  has  come  to  some  of  these  women  who  have  made  s])ecial 
studies  of  new  or  \arial)le  stars,  or  in  classifying  s])ectra  and  I'ataloging  the 
stars. 

So  Completely  ha\e  these  many  ad\ant;iges  been  realized  among  astron- 
omers that  nearly  all  of  the  old-established  observatories  ha\e  adopted  the 
l)hotograpbic  methods.  New  observatories,  made  ]Kissil)le  thru  a  revival  of 
interest  in  the  science,  have  been  eipiipped  in  ,iii  unexpectedly  liberal  niamuT 
with  the  newest,  most  improved  and  largest  |)hotographic  telescopes  and 
cameras  that  opticians  and  instrument  makers  could  dc\'ise.  We  could  not 
now  return  to  the  ])urel_\'  \isual  nietliod.  if  we  wished,  an_\  more  than  we 
could  now  be  satisfied  with   ("..ilileo's  ]iriniitive  telescope. 

The  Spectroscope  and  a  New  Science — Astro-Physics. 

The  same  qualities  which  ha\e  made  the  >ensiti\  e  film  so  \;iIuabK'  in 
recording  the  positions  and  relative  brightness  of  the  stars,  ha\e  made  it 
indisi)ensal)le  in  the  new  science  of  .Astro-l'hysics.  .\bout  1850  it  was  ])osi- 
ti\'ely  declared  by  August  Comte  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  us  ever 
to  determine  the  nature  of  the  heavenly  bodies:  that,  whether  compcjsed  of 
matter  like  that  which  forms  the  earth  or  of  some  difi'erent  kind,  we  might 
si)eculate  Ijut  we  ciiuld  nexer  know.  In  18<i0  Kirchhofi'  identified  the  bright 
rays  of  terrestrial  substances  with  similar  dark  lino  in  the  si)ectrum  of  the 
sun,  and.  with  Bunsen,  he  inaugurated  spectrum  analysis.  So  the  light  Ironi 
sun  and  distant  star  has  lieen  made  to  yield  its  secrets,  on  passing  thru  a 
simple  wedge  of  glass,  anil  the  bouiKJle^^  nni\i.Tse  has  become  one  with  our 
earth  in  its  known  elements.  Chemistry,  physics  and  astronomy  h;i\v  all 
found  in  the  spectroscope  a  powerful  weai)on  of  research.  New  element- 
have  revealed  themselves  in  our  miner.als.  in  our  atmos])here.  .•ind  in  the 
light  of  the  stars  thru  its  use. 

Astronomy,  up  to  this  point,  had,  of  necessity,  been  concerned  with  tlu- 
positions  of  the  stars,  their  motions  under  the  laws  of  gra\itation,  and  with 
the    study    of   the    form    and    structure    of    the    universe — the    W 1  lb",  1\  1'.    and 

ii8 


Thirty   Vkars'   Prik'.rkss  in  tiik  Xi:\v  Astronomy 


WHITHER  of  the  star^  ;  nnw  came  its  first  cliance  to  determine  tlie  nature 
of  the  heavenly  bodies— WHAT  the  stars  RlvMJ.Y  ARK.  That  which  had 
remained  secret  and  had  seemed  past  finding  out,  now  began  to  be  revealed. 
For  this  spectroscope,  which  sorts  out  the  colors  of  light  and  arranges  them 
in  order  by  their  wa\-e-lengths,  cares  not  whether  the  light-source  be  in  the 
close-by  laboratory,  or,  across  the  span  of  millions  of  miles,  in  the  sun,  or 
even  that  it  has  journeyed  hundreds  of  years  to  reach  us  from  far-distant 
stars  or  nebulae:  all  it  asks  is  that  the  sample  of  light  be  enough  to  analyze. 


The  60-inch  Reflector  of  the  Mt.  Wilson  Observatory. 

Photographs  taken  with  this  telescope  have  revealed  details  of  nebulae,  star-clusters 

and  sky-regions,  hitherto  unknown. 


So  rajjidly  did  this  new  lield  de\elo]i  that  the  phrase,  "the 
new   astronomy,"   came    into    use   as    reflecting   the    rejuvenatin 


1(1  and  the 
effects  of 
Astro-Physics.  Several  Astro-Physical  observatories  were  planned  l\v  the 
new  scientists  and  built  l)y  wealthy  supporters  to  whom  these  new  lines 
appealed;  new  periodicaN,  like  "Astronomy  and  Astro- I'liysics."  later  "The 
Astro])hysical  Journal."  arose  to  keep  pace  with  the  jirogress ;  our  own 
countrv  was  foremost  in  its  investigators,  in  their  equipment,  and  in  their 
financial  and  jiopular  support:  to  our  largest,  most  active  and  representative 
body  of  specialists  in  these  fields  belongs  tiie  name  "The  Astronomical  and 
Astro-Phvsical  Societv  of  America." 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society 

Photographic  Plate  Again  Proves  Its  Value. 

Just  as  i1k-  photographic  ])latc  registers  all  the  stars  o\cr  a  large  area  in 
one  exposure,  so  it  records  all  the  detailed  lines  of  the  spectrum  when  put  in 
the  place  of  the  eyepiece  of  the  spectroscope.  Thus  hundreds  of  lines  rc])re- 
senting  the  various  wave-lengths  of  star-light  arc  caught  on  the  tilm,  and 
alongside  of  them  are  recorded  lines  made  by  light  from  some  one  of  our  well- 
known  metals  for  comparison,  and  this  plate  serves  for  accurate  measures 
of  the  star-spectrum  in  the  same  way  that  chart  plates  serve  for  positions. 
Special  microscopes  for  measuring  spectra  are  now  made  by  several  instru- 
ment makers,  and  are  in  use  in  many  oljscrvatories. 

To  the  spectroscope  erjuipped  with  the  recording  iiholograjihic  plate- 
must  be  credited  some  enormous  advances  made  in  these  recent  decades.  It 
used  to  be  that  only  during  the  total  solar  eclipses  could  observations  be  made 
of  the  solar  jirominences  and  other  phenomena.  Total  eclipses  continue  to 
be  observed,  even  at  the  expenditure  of  months  of  time,  journeys  of  thousands 
of  miles,  and  with  all  kinds  of  telescopes,  cameras  and  spectroscopes.  The 
wonderful  corona  requires  all  the  observation  possible  and  full  ijhotogra])hic 
records,  for  no  two  artists  sketch  its  streamers  alike.  But  some  of  the  obser- 
vations, as  of  prominences,  are  now  made  on  any  clear  day  with  a  spectro- 
heliograi)h,  which  combines  the  telescope,  the  i)anoramic  camera  and  the 
spectroscope.  Mono-chromatic  light,  coming  from  some  one  prominent  spec- 
trum line,  alone  reaches  the  plate.  Tlius  one  substance,  like  hydrogen  or 
calcium,  can  be  singled  out  and  the  ])latc  made  to  record  the  location  of  that 
substance  wherever  it  occurs  on  the  sun's  surface  ai  that  instant  of  exposure. 
By  adjusting  the  spectroscope  for  a  line  from  some  other  substance  that,  too, 
can  be  taken  by  itself.  The  sun  has  been  studied  as  never  before,  and  the 
advance  in  solar  physics  is  marxclous.  W'liat  we  learn  ai)out  the  sun  helps 
in  the  study  of  the  stars,  whicji  an-  but  more  remote  suns. 

Star  Colors  and  Their  Spectra. 

The  more  conijjlcte  mapping  of  the  stellar  spectra  upon  ])lates  contirnied 
the  earlier  classification  by  star  colors  and  showed  up  a  mass  of  detail  w  hich 
the  eye  could  not  grasp.  The  eye's  range  of  sensitiveness  from  red  t(j  violet, 
was  extended  into  the  ultra-violet  by  the  normal  drv-plate,  and  \-arious  dyes, 
added  to  the  film,  permitted  the  red  section  of  the  spectrum  to  be  recorded. 
The  color  qualities  of  the  plates  themselves  were  carefully  studied  and 
exhaustive  tests  applied. 

\\liite  and  bluish-wdiite  stars,  like  \'ega,  Rigel  and  the  Pleiades,  showing 
a  strong  helium  spectrum,  and  like  Sirius  with  hydrogen  lines,  form  the  first 
type;  yellowish  stars,  like  our  sun  Caijcllu,  Arcturus  and  Canopus,  with  many 
fine  metallic  lines  as  well  as  the  hydrogen,  form  the  second  type;  these  two 
types  include  over  ninety  per  cent  of  all  the  stars.  Orange-red  stars,  like 
Antares  and  Betelgeuse,  showing  heavy  aljsorption  bands,  form  a  third  t\j)e. 
They  are  few  in  number  and  include  some  variables.  Some  very  faint  dee])- 
red  stars,  showing  dark  bands  due  to  carljon  alisorption,  form  a  fourth  type. 
Nebulae,  unmistakably  gaseous,  precede  the  star  t}pes.  Detailed  comjiarison 
shows  about  twenty  subdivisions  to  all  these  groups,  with  nian\-  ])ecidiar  stars 
requiring  minute  study. 

I'Vom  the  brighter  stars  the  classification  has  l)een  carrieil  to  tjie  fainter 
ones  and  studies  made  of  the  distriliution  of  the  various  types  and  their  loca- 
tion near  to  or  away  from  the  Milky  Way.  The  Harvard  Observatory  has 
made  this  one  of  its  special  fields  of  stud\-  Needless  to  say,  visual  observa- 
tions have  largely  ceased,  and  entire  dejiendcnce  is  now  placed  on  the  photo- 
graphic records.  So  has  the  light  of  each  .'•'tar  been  made  to  tell  us  the  secrets 
of  its  constitution  and  physical  state. 

120 


Thirty  Years'  Progress  in  the  Xkw  Astronomy 

"Motion-in-the-Line-of-Sight"  Radial  Velocity. 

Another  triumph  has  been  scored  l)_v  the  combined  spectroscope  and  ])late, 
called  ui'w  the  spectrograph.  It  is  knowti  tliat  in  sound  the  pitch  of  an 
approaching  locomotive  whistle  is  higher  than  of  a  receding  one.  More  sound 
waves  per  second  beat  upun  the  ear  as  the  whistle  comes  toward  one  than 
when  it  is  going  away.  So  with  light.  As  a  star  is  approaching,  more  vibra- 
tions reach  us  in  a  given  time  and  the  whole  spectrum  is  shifted  toward  the 
violet  end ;  or  shifted  toward  the  red  end  when  the  star  is  receding,  as  fewer 
vibrations  per  second  then  reach  us.  This  shifting  can  be  detected  <mi  the 
negative  and  accurately  measured.  How  rapid  the  increase  in  acctiracy  has 
been  is  shown  in  the  statement  of  Dr.  Frost,  Director  of  Yerkes  Observatory, 
that  while  the  uncertainty  of  any  one  determination  was  five  miles  in  1888-89, 
in  1912  it  was  about  one-sixth  of  a  mile  If  a  velocity  has  been  stated  in 
1888-89  as  fifty  miles  a  second,  it  w'as  really  anywhere  between  45  and  55 
miles ;  now,  if  stated  as  fifty  miles,  it  is  somewhere  between  49.8  and  50.2 
miles,  an  increase  of  thirty  times  in  accuracy.  This  uncertainty  is  equivalent 
to  one  ten-thousandth  of  an  inch  on  the  plate.  The  idea  of  being  able  to 
detect  a  motion  to  us  or  from  us  is  wonderfu'  enough  in  itself;  Init  to  reach 
such  refinement  in  accuracy  is  convincing  proof  of  the  value  of  the  photo- 
graphic plate  in  scientific  research. 

In  1895  Dr.  Keeler,  of  Allegheny  Observatory,  showed  by  the  spectri_>- 
scope  that  the  rings  of  Saturn  are  composed  of  separate  meteoric  particles  and 
not  of  solid  sheets  of  material.  The  spectrum  lines  declared  by  their  displace- 
ment that  the  outside  of  the  ring  was  moving  10  miles  per  second,  wdiile  the 
inside  moved  12'.)  miles  per  second.  If  solid  the  outside  would,  of  course, 
move  the  faster.  Keeler's  discovery  verified  the  mathematical  theory  in  a 
novel  way  and  took  rank  among  the  important  steps  in  astronomical  progress. 
The  varying  velocities  of  all  parts  of  the  sun's  stirface  and  the  clottd  belts  of 
the  brighter  planets  are  now  investigated  by  this  method. 

(jrowing  out  of  these  "motions-in-the-line-of-sight,"  or  radial  velocities, 
of  the  stars  has  come  the  discovery  of  spectroscopic  binaries,  a  type  of  close 
dottble-stars  with  one  star  in  rapid  rotation  about  the  other.  They  were  dis- 
covered thru  an  alternate  widening  and  narrcjwing  of  the  lines  of  the  star- 
spectrum — widening  when  one  star  is  coming  and  the  other  receding,  narr(_)w 
when  one  star  swings  past  the  other  across  our  line  of  vision-.  \Miere  the 
components  are  imequal  in  brightness  the  broadened  lines  are  brighter  first 
on  one  side,  then  on  the  other.  If  one  passes  directly  in  front  of  the  other,  an 
eclipse  occurs  twice  in  each  revolution  and  the  star  is  a  variable.  Algol,  "the 
Demon  Star,"  known  to  vary  in  brightness,  but  unexplained  for  over  a  century, 
was  foimd  to  have  a  dark  or  in\isible  companion,  which  passed  in  front  of 
the  bright  component  and  dimmed  its  light  partly  for  nine  hotirs  out  of  a 
complete  rotation  period  of  sixty-nine  hours.  The  radial  motion  of  the  visible 
star  was  thus  led  to  betray  the  presence  of  a  companion  mass  which  gives  off 
no  light  of  its  own.  Nearly  all  these  binaries  recjuired  the  spectroscope  for 
their  discovery,  for  the  com])ijner.t  stars  could  not  be  separated  visually. 

New  Light  on  Old  Researches. 

From  the  time  Avhen  Edmun.l  Halley  suspected  the  "proper  motions"  of 
some  of  the  brighter  stars,  previous  to  1718,  the  subject  has  been  one  of  large 
interest  to  all  astronomers.  Such  motions  coidd  only  be  detected  by  exact 
measurement  of  the  angular  distance  from  neighboring  stars,  and  finding  that 
these  distances  were  changing.  The  Cincinnati  Observatory  has  devoted  its 
energies  largely  to  this  research  for  many  years.  The  motions  thus  fotmd 
were  in  dift'erent  directions  on  the  celestial  sphere  and  all  at  right-angles  to 
the  line  drawn  from  the  star  to  us.  Xo  motion  toward  us  or  from  tis  was 
discoverable  by  the  "proper-motion"  observers  ^^"hen  that  most  remarkable 
achievement  of  modern  science  the  measurement  of  radial  velocities,  was 
effected  by  the  spectroscope,  the  resulting  motions  along  the  line  drawn  from 


ClNCr.N.NATl    ASTRONOM  ICAt.    SllCIKTY 

the  star  U'  us,  lUtcd  in  witli  tlic  "])ni])cr-iui  itiMiis"  already  ulilainccl,  and  cuni- 
hined  witli  them  to  give  the  actual  motions  in  space.  Thus  a  l)y-i)ro(luct  nl 
spectroscopy  has  proved  of  inestimable  help  in  completing  the  older  pro1)leni. 

From  these  combined  results,  giving  the  actual  motions  in  space,  discov- 
ery has  been  made  that  the  moving  stars  fall  into  two  main  groups  or  star- 
streams,  coming  from  widely  separated  regions  of  infinite  S])ace,  anil  ahnul 
alike  in  chemical  composition  and  in  their  motions. 

Still  more  recently  it  has  been  found  that  the  dilVcrciit  >])ectral  ty])es 
jiavc  different  velocities,  as  the  helium  stars  move  thru  space  at  the  rate  of 
four  miles  per  second,  hydrogen  stars  six  miles,  and  solar  stars  about  twelve 
miles  jier  second.  Thus  the  hottest  young  stars  ap])ear  !■•  \U'i\c  slowest.  ,ind 
cooler  and  older  stars  more  ra])id.ly.  That  s])eed  seem>  in  dexelop  witii  tlu' 
increased  age  of  the  star  leads  tn  new  s])cculations  and  place--  an  iniTcased 
\'alne  upim  the  sjicctrnscnjjic  results. 

The  Stereoscope.     Zeiss  Stereo-Comparator. 

The  stereoscope  is  now  applied  to  the  examination  of  chart  plates.  Two 
negatives  on  the  same  region  taken  several  years  apart  are  placeil  in  the  Zeiss 
".'^tereo-comparator"  and  the  star  images  brought  into  coincidence  so  they 
match.  All  the  stars  form  one  common  held  except  such  as  have  moved — 
the  excejnional  ones  showing  motion  appear  ])rojected  in  front  or  to  the  rear 
by  the  stereoscopic  action.  Their  displacement  can  then  be  measured  directly, 
without  the  need  of  reducing  the  positions  of  the  thousands  of  stars  which 
have  no  motion.  The  whole  solar  system  is  known  to  be  inoving  away  from 
Sirius  and  in  the  direction  of  \'ega  in  Lyra  at  the  rate  of  about  a  million  miles 
a  day,  or  twelve  miles  a  second.  Chart  jjlates,  taken  on  the  same  regions 
tweh'e  to  fifteen  years  apart,  can  now  throw  light  u\>"\\  tlii^  problem  of  the 
solar  motion  when  examined  stereoscopically.  Here  aNo  ph' itogra]ihy  has 
come  to  aid  in  the  solution  of  a  very  old  |)rol)lem. 

Comet  Photography  and  Halley's  Comet. 

The  lield-glass  is  ii>uall\  more  satisfat'tory  to  use  in  looking  at  a  comet 
than  a  very  ])owerful  telescope.  It  takes  in  a  large  area  of  sky  and  shows  all 
of  the  comet  at  one  time.  The  large  telesco])e  shows  but  one  ])art  at  a  time 
and  is  best  for  a  study  of  details,  as  of  the  nucleus.  In  the  same  way  the 
camera  or  photographic  telescope  has  i)ro\ed  its  sujjcriority  in  depicting 
comets,  because  of  the  large  area  covered  by  the  pl.ate.  The  telescope  "fol- 
lows" on  the  comet  itself,  and  tlie  stars  come  out  as  trails,  as  the  comet  is 
moving  among  the  stars,  .since  1<S,S2  exery  ])Ossible  chance  to  secure  comet 
negatives  has  been  utilized,  and  much  progress  made  in  the  study  of  the  rajiid 
changes  in  the  tails,  and  in  their  com])osition  as  re\ealed  thru  the  spectroscope. 
Some  comets,  faint  to  the  e}e,  are  strong  in  actinic  rays  and  photogra])h  finely. 
J^opular  interest  has  always  been  aroused  by  the  discovery  of  a  new  comet 
or  the  return  of  a  periodic  one.  Dr.  E.  E.  Barnard,  now  of  the  Yerkes  Observ- 
atory, has  been  especially  ]irominent  in  comet  photography. 

The  changes  are  so  ra]iid  in  the  shape  and  in  the  condensation  of  a  comet's 
tail  that  plates  taken  in  succession  show  large  <lif'ferences,  and  those  on  suc- 
ceeding nights  often  show  complete  transformations.  In  planning  to  secure 
all  possible  observations  of  Halley's  comet  on  this  recent  return  the  fullest 
co-operation  was  urged  ujion  ol)ser\ers  the  world  over.  Often  the  whole  time 
for  taking  the  plates  at  any  one  >tation  was  only  twenty  to  thirty  minutes 
between  the  rising  of  the  comet  and  tlu-  dawn,  which  would  log  the  plates: 
so  that  to  secure  an  uninterrupted  record  of  its  changes  would  have  required 
sixty  or  more  stations  around  the  glol)e.  each  taking  a  plate  daily.  The  advan- 
tage of  numerous  instruments  well  distributed  is  self-evident.  As  a  result 
there  were  very  few  hours  in  those  months  of  its  close  proximity  to  the  sun 
when  some  camera  was  not  being  exposed  on  the  comet.  It  was  lorighter,  had 
a  greater  extent  of  tail,  and  was  longer  \  i^ihlc  than  in  18,vt.     FJe-discovered  at 


Thirty   \'i:ahs'  Phuc.kkss  in  the  Xi:\v  Astkonumv 

Heidelberg  on  Wolf's  photographic  plates,  Ilalley's  cnmet  was  iiiiilcr  ohscrxa- 
tion  over  four  months  earlier  in  its  journey  than  in  1835,  owing  to  the  ])hoto- 
graphic  method  and  the  present  superior  telescopic  equipment,  i'riccless 
records  were  tiuis  secured  which  are  being  studied  with  care  and  patience. 
Cyanogen  lines  were  re\ealed  by  the  spectroscoiK'.  Recent  discoveries  in 
radiation  pressure  and  enianatinns  gixe  special  \aluc  tii  all  C(pnu-t  phennniena. 


I /Vic. /I.  .  G.  II'.  R,hil,-y\ 

The  Globular  Star-Cluster  in  Hercules. 

Over  60,000  separate  stars  show  in  the  original  negative.    Total  exposure  of  eleven 

hours  on  three  nights,  June  6,  7,  8,  1910. 


N 


Stellar  Photometry  and  Variable  Stars. 

A  rapid  sketch  nf  the  New  Astrnnomy  wnuld  be  incumplcte  without  a 
menticiU  of  studies  in  the  brightness  of  the  stars.  As  sunn  as  photographs 
began  to  be  taken  of  sky  regions  the  \alue  nf  the  plate  as  a  recorder  of  the 
relative  brightness  of  stars  was  ap;)arent.  The  brighter  the  star  and  the  longer 
the  exposure,  the  larger  its  image  is  on  the  plate,  luirly  measures  of  bright- 
ness were  based  on  the  diameters  of  these  images.  Refractors  and  reflectors 
presented  separate  problems  in  the  character  of  their  star  images.  It  was 
immediately  recognized  that  the  plate,  with  its  sensitiveness  to  color  so  difier- 
ent  than  the  eye,  called  for  a  photographic  scale  of  magnitutles.  Such  a  scale 
has  been  gradually  perfected  and  connected  for  comparison  with  visual  stand- 
ards. Some  errors  affecting  visual  observations  ha\e  met  their  solution  thru 
the  minute  study  of  this  photographic  magnitude  problem.  \\'e  know  more 
about  the  human  eye  today  because  of  these  comparisons  with  the  plates. 

In  the  study  of  variable  stars  the  plate  has  proved  of  inestimable  value. 
Up  to  1885  there  had  been  only  al)out  250  such  stars  discovered  visually. 
Since  that  date  not  less  than  1.500  have  been  detected  on  the  photographs. 
By  bringing  together  several  ]dates  on  a  region  and  carefully  examining  them 

1^1 


CixciNXATi  Astronomical  Socikty 

ni.iiiy  chans^cs  in  brightness  have  ai)])eare<l.  I'^nmi  the  s])ec-tra  showing  bright 
hydrogen  lines  Mrs.  Fleming  discovered  over  125  long-period  variables  on 
IJarvard  plates,  and  on  gl<>l)nlar-cluster  i)hotograi)hs  IVofessor  Bailey  has 
found  over  500  stars  whose  l)rightness  changes  regularly.  A\'ithin  a  few 
hours  some  cluster  variables  go  thru  an  increase  and  decrease  of  from  two 
to  six  times  in  brightness.  Hundreds  of  new  variables  connected  with  nebulae 
are  now  known,  the  variation  of  each  l)eing  checked  on  several  different  ])lates. 
While  most  stars  shine  with  constant  light,  these  variables  form  the 
exceptions.  Many  can  be  ohserxed  \isually  with  small  telescopes.  A  variety 
of  photometers  have  been  devised  for  accurately  measuring  their  changes  in 
brightness.  By  means  of  a  polarizing  eyejiiece  or  a  sliding  wedge  of  neutral 
tinted  glass  the  light  of  the  star  is  made  to  ecjual  a  coni])arison  star  (ir  an  arti- 
ficial point  of  light  in  brightness.  .\  graduated  circle  rjr  scale  attached  is 
read  oft'  and  the  figures  reduced  to  decimals  of  magnitudes.  The  light-curve 
and  period  of  each  variable  is  worked  out  with  exactness,  and  studies  made  to 
account  for  the  light-changes.  X'ariable  star  discovery  has  helped  to  add 
new  life  and  interest  to  our  science.  The  sun  has  even  been  foimd  to  be  vari- 
able in  its  radiations  to  the  amount  of  ten  ])er  cent,  and  within  a  ])eriod  of  a 
few  days.  \'ariable  star  research,  visual  anrl  jihotographic,  ])hotometric  and 
spectroscopic,  seems  to  have  only  begun.     It  is  a  field  of  great  ])riiniise 

Satellites  of  Saturn  and  Jupiter  Discovered. 

In  1898  several  plates  of  Saturn  were  taken  at  Arequipa,  Peru,  on  which 
\\  .  \[.  Pickering  discovered  a  ninth  satellite,  which  he  named  Phoebe.  Allho 
lost  track  of  for  a  few  years,  images  of  this  satellite  were  found  on  over  forty 
plates  later — its  existence  confirmed  and  its  orbit  found  to  be  retrograde. 
Evidences  were  wholly  ]}hotogra])hic.  until  it  was  seen  b\^  Dr.  Barnard  in  the 
Yerkes  40-inch.  In  1905  a  tenth  satellite  was  found  on  the  same  Saturn  plates 
by  Mr.  Pickering. 

On  ])lates  taken  at  Lick  Observatory  Mr.  Perrine  discovered,  in  1904-05,  a 
sixth  and  a  seventh  satellite  of  Jupiter,  both  faint  and  remote  from  the  jilanet. 

An  eighth  satellite  of  Jupiter  was  discovered  on  plates  taken  at  Green- 
wich Observatory  in  1908  by  Melotte,  making  the  fifth  new  satellite  whose 
discovery-  and  observation  was  due  solely  In  the  photographic  plate. 

Planetary  Detail  and  Double  Stars  Still  To  Be  Mastered 

The  eye  still  serves  best  in  depicting  the  surfaces  and  feature^;  of  the 
planets.  To  magnify  the  image  enough  to  give  a  good  size  on  the  plate  and 
secure  the  finer  details  meets  with  this  oljstacle — lack  of  the  planet's  li.ght. 
The  disturbances  in  our  air  al.so  cause  frequent  blurriness  alternating  with 
instants  of  good  seeing.  Speci.il  devices  for  eliminating  the  times  of  dis- 
turbed seeing  and  exposing  the  plate  only  during  instants  of  great  steadiness 
have  been  tried  by  Ritchey  and  others.  Some  jirogress  has  resulted,  but  com- 
plete success  is  still  lacking. 

Micrometer  measures  of  close  doul)le-stars  is  still  visual  work.  The  size 
of  all  star  images  being  greater  on  the  negative  than  in  the  eye-piece  makes 
the  close  pairs  merge  into  a  single  image.  ,\n  enlarging  lens  near  the  focus 
causes  loss  of  light  and  unduly  prolongs  exposure.  For  the  present  this  work 
is  well  left  to  the  visual  observer. 

Observatories  South  of  Equator.     Desert  and  Mountain  Stations. 

.\  development  in  branch  stations  of  old-established  observatories  is  an 
interesting  phase  of  recent  years.  Of  the  225  principal  observatories  of  the 
world,  we  find  about  130  in  pAirope  and  65  in  America,  mostly  near  large 
cities  where  the  science  has  recei\ed  most  encouragement  and  has  found 
governmental  or  private  support.  Stars  within  forty  or  more  degrees  of  the 
South  pole  of  the  sky  could  not  be  studied  except  by  going  to  South  Africa, 

124 


Thirty  Years'  Progrkss  ix  the  Xew  Astroxomy 

Australia  or  South  America.  So  observatory  parties,  supplied  with  instru- 
ments, have  erected  temporary  stations  on  those  continents  or  chosen  perma- 
nent sites  after  careful  tests  of  climatic  conditions.  About  20  observatories  are 
now  located  in  the  Southern  Hemisphere.  Harvard  has  the  Arequipa  Station, 
in  Peru,  and  one  in  Eg>"pt.  Lick  has  its  branch  near  Santiago,  Chile.  The  Car- 
negie Institution  has  its  work  at  San  Luis,  Argentine.  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  has 
a  joint  director  with  the  La  Plata  Observatory,  Argentine,  using  similar  instru- 
ments at  both  stations.  From  these  stations,  located  at  high  altitudes  and  in 
desert  climates,  are  sent  home  the  develoijed  jjlates  which  form  the  basis  for 
research  and  measurement.  A  slightly  different  form  of  co-operation  is  shown 
in  the  reduction  of  Lick  Observatory  plates  on  Eros  by  Mr.  Hinks  at  Green- 
wich. At  Helsingford,  Finland,  in  60  degrees  north  latitude,  plates  are  being 
taken  of  the  north  pole  of  the  sky  for  measurement  at  the  Columbia  Universitv 
Observatory,  Xew  York.  Dr.  ^Barnard,  of  Yerkes  Observatory,  spent  several 
month  in  Southern  California  photographing  the  ]\Iilky-\\'ay  with  the  Bruce 
doublet  whose  permanent  location  is  at  Lake  Geneva,  ^^'is.  The  instances 
cjuoted  show  how  observers  living  in  less  promising  regions  are  able  to  com- 
plete their  researches  with  plates  made  under  the  choicest  climatic  conditions 
elsewhere. 

!More  and  better  astronomical  work  can  be  done  in  any  localitv  what- 
ever with  the  help  of  the  photographic  plate  than  can  possibly  be  done  without 
it.  Wherever  it  has  been  given  a  fair  trial  it  has  met  the  requirements,  and 
nowhere  could  the  critical  tests  applied  have  been  more  severe  than  in  the 
researches  of  the  Xew  Astronomy.  In  addition  to  the  better  results  obtain- 
able by  photographic  instruments  used  locally,  there  is  the  advantage  to  be 
derived  from  brief  expeditions  with  the  instruments  for  special  material,  as 
well  as  the  opportunity  to  secure  plates  for  comparative  study  from  obser\-a- 
tories  in  the  most  fa^•ored  climates  in  the  world. 

Why  This  Review  of  Astronomical  Progress? 

In  brief,  we  have  seen  that  the  photograj>hic  plate  is  an  untiring  recorder 
of  starlight ;  that  it  maps  large  areas  at  a  time :  that  myriad  stars,  the  nebulae 
and  the  comets  are  quickly  recorded  ;  that  moving  asteroids  and  satellites  make 
trails  which  are  readily  detected ;  that  the  sensitive  film  forms  a  basis  for  the 
most  accurate  and  exacting  measurements :  that  the  plates  form  a  permanent 
record  and  history  of  the  sky ;  that  photography  secures  fuller  advantage  of 
all  clear  weather  and  a  more  economical  division  of  observatory  labors. 

The  new-born  science.  Astro-Physics — made  possible  by  the  combined 
spectroscope  and  sensitive  jilate — reveals  the  unity  in  composition  of  stm, 
far-off  star  and  nebula  with  our  own  earth  ;  the  spectro-heliograph  has  created 
a  new  solar-physics :  the  varying  colors  of  the  stars  signify  the  stages  in  their 
evolution :  radial  motions  are  discerned  and  accurately  measured ;  actual 
motions  of  stars  in  space  are  thus  derived  in  combination  with  ''proper  motion" 
results ;  hence,  star-streams  are  discovered  and  velocity  in  space  mcreasing 
with  star-age :  further,  the  stereoscope  has  been  adapted  to  detect  the  motions 
of  stars,  and  to  assist  in  the  comparative  study  of  plates. 

Separate,  yet  related,  liranches  of  the  new  science  are  comet  study  :  dis- 
covery of  nebulae,  spiral  or  of  great  extent ;  Milky-Way  photography  and 
study  ;  photometry  and  extensive  variable  star  discovery ;  novae,  or  new  stars  ; 
eclipse  expeditions  ;  southern  and  mountain  stations  ;  plate  measurement  with 
special  instruments ;  constant  temperature  devices  for  mirrors  and  spectro- 
scopes :  chemical  and  physical  related  researches ;  co-operative  plans,  between 
observatories  or  world-wide.  Almost  without  limit  these  new  sriecial  ■sections 
have  arisen  in  the  past  thirt)-  years 

Why  this  review?  With  all  this  wonderful  progress  in  astronomy  and 
Astro-Physics  going  on  in  all  parts  of  our  own  country,  has  not  the  time  come 
to  establish  some  branches  of  the  photographic  and  spectroscopic  astronomy 
near  Cincinnati?  It  is  a  matter  of  pride  and  admiration  that  in  all  of  these 
new  researches  American  astronomers  and  astro-physicists  have  been  in  the 

125 


Cincinnati  Astkono.mkai.  Sociicty 

forefront.  Many  of  these  researches  are  hut  hcLiun,  and  lu-w  (lc|iartnu-iits  are 
constantly  arising.  Is  not  Cincinnati  to  ha\e  its  jiarl  with  other  localities  in 
extending  astronomical  study  with  instruments  of  these  most  modern  designs? 
The  Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society,  in  presenting  this  hrief  review  of  prog- 
ress in  the  New  Astronomy  to  the  men  and  women  of  this  city,  feels  certain 
of  an  affirmative  answer  to  these  questions 

Localities  differ  in  their  way  of  encouraging  the  new  .--cience,  as  a  glimpse 
at  the  I<ick  Observatory,  Chicago,  .Allegheny,  Washington,  Harvard  anil  Mt. 
Wilson  and  other  places  shows.  Old  institutions  encourage  it  in  some  places 
and  new  ones  are  formed  in  other  cities.  It  was  thought  that  the  local 
Obserxatory  could  extend  its  ])recise  star-position  W(irl<  into  ])hotograpliic 
plate  measurement,  as  a  natural  dexelopment.  But  in  1910,  the  decision  was 
reached  by  those  in  charge  of  the  city  Observatory  that  nothing  whatever  of 
the  photographic  or  newer  lines  was  to  be  undertaken  or  encouraged.  This 
decision  was  definite  and  fiii.il  and  ,ill  chance  for  a  reconsideration  was  abso- 
lutely refused.  T'"ortiniatel_\-,  with  this  decision  of  the  existing  Observatory  to 
limit  itself  to  work  largel\-  computational  and  in  continuance  of  its  historic 
programs  of  proper-motion  in\estigation,  an  entirely  separate  and  independnit 
basis  was  found  on  which  to  conduct  these  new  researches. 

Popular  Astronomical  Society  for  Unoccupied  Fields. 

The  Cincinnati  Astrcjnoniical  Society,  to  bring  togetlier  those  interested 
in  the  science,  was  thus  planned  It  was  soon  organized  and  became  duly 
incor]Kjrated  in  1911.  In  all  its  efforts  froiii  the  beginning  it  has  kept  con- 
stantly in  \iew  the  establishment  of  these  newer  branches  of  astronomical 
activity  in  this  vicinitv.  W'hh  entire  freedom  to  undertake  such  researches 
without  encroaching  in  the  least  on  the  present  work  of  the  city  institution, 
there  is  every  good  reason  why  the  plans  of  the  Society  should  receive  careful 
consideration,  and  why  such  encouragement  should  be  given  as  will  am])ly 
])rovide  for  the  establishment  .and  proper  ni.aintenance  of  the  ])roposed  new- 
Observatory. 

.As  the  present  CJbservatory,  maintained  by  city  taxation  since  1872,  has 
not  in  over  forty  years  been  the  recijnent  of  any  large  endowments,  it  is  con- 
fidently believed  th.at  there  is  room  for  a  separate  privately  endowed  Astron- 
omical Observatory  in  this  vicinity.  Especially  when,  as  in  some  other 
cities,  an  active  Society  is  maintained  in  close  touch  w^ith  the  general  ])ublic 
and  working  in  lines  of  general  interest.  .Among  the  descendents  of  the 
hundreds  of  members  of  that  early  Cincinnati  .Vstronomical  Society,  in  exist- 
ence from  1842  to  1872.  there  certainly  are  to  be  found  many  men  and  women 
of  means  to  whom  Astronomy  appeals.  Some  wdio  hesitate  about  giving 
endowments  to  a  municipal  institution,  will  no  doubt  decide  favorably  in 
regard  to  an  independent  association,  incorjiorated  under  the  laws  of  the  State 
of  Ohio  for  these  definite   jiopular  ;ind  scientific  purposes. 

Popular  Features  of  Society  Work. 

Having  its  lieginnings  in  a  series  of  illustrated  .-\stronomical  talks  at  the 
rooms  of  the  Cincinnati  Society  of  Natural  History,  the  monthly  meetings 
ha\e  always  included  illustrated  talks  or  papers  on  the  programs.  The  in- 
formal meetings  promote  the  acquaintance  of  those  interested  in  our  science, 
and  a  freedom  to  ask  questions  and  relate  interesting  and  helpful  experiences 
has  grown  year  by  year.  An  increasing  number  of  members  \-olunteer  to 
prepare  papers  and  illustrate  them  with  slides. 

Popular  public  lectures  have  been  secured  and  have  proved  an  interesting 
feature.  Dr.  E.  E.  Barnard  displayed  his  beautiful  Comet  and  .Milky-Way 
photographs  at  the  Christ  Church  Pari-h  llou-^e.  Miss  i\lary  Proctor  gave 
"Other  Worlds  Than  Ours"  in  the  gymnasium  of  the  Ohio  Mechanics'  Insti- 
tute. Dr.  John  .A.  Brashear  gave  his  "Photography  of  the  Heavens"  in  the 
Emery  .Audilorinni.     Mr.  B.  R.  Baumgardt  has  given  "An  Evening  with  the 

12C1 


Plans  kuk  Sociktv  OBSKl<v.\Tl)l(^■ 


Stars"  at  the  EmerN-  Audili  iriuni.  and  a  year  later  at  the  Cliainher  of  Com- 
merce Hall.  'J'hese  lectures  ha\e  been  most  enjoyable  events  in  the  life  of 
the  society,  and  ha\e  acquainted  us  with  the  wonderful  pros.^ress  made  by 
our  American  Ol)servatories  in  the  new  astronomy.  vSimilar  lectures  </iven 
before  prominent  clubs,  organizations  and  churches  accjuaint  an  increasin<<  cir- 
cle of  Cincinnati  people  with  the  new  phases  of  our  science.  With  a  larger 
lecture  fimd  more  popular  lectures  and  talks  can  be  given  in  clul)s  and  schools. 


The  Great  Network  Nebula  in  Cygnus. 

Made  with  60-inch  Reflector,  Mt.  Wilson,  Cal.     Exposure,  10'  ,  hours,  July  2,  3, 

4,  1910.     Filaments  of  gaseous  matter  amid  countless  suns  in  the  Milky-way. 

A  large  number  of  our  members  own  telescopes  and  keep  track  of  the 
constellati<:)ns  and  the  motions  of  the  planets,  watch  for  sunspots  and  look  up 
comets.  Some  have  even  made  telescopes  for  themsehes  and  have  descrilied 
before  the  society  the  processes  of  grinding  the  lenses  and  mirrors,  ha\e  told 
how  the  mirrors  are  silvered,  and  liow  the  mountings  were  constructed.  (Jthers 
have  been  encouraged  tn  purchasL-  telescopes  by  the  Committee  on  the  Mak- 
ing and  Purchase  of  Instruments.  Each  telescope  generouslv  shared  with 
friends  and  neighbors,  forms  a  center  of  interest  in  our  stu<ly  of  the  star-. 
Facilities  for  instrument  making  by  members  will  tind  ])lace  in  our  new  build- 
ing, where  under  the  direction  of  the  experienced  committee,  greater  progress 
can  be  made  than  by  each  member  wdrking  se])aratel}'. 

127 


Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society 

Choice  of  Permanent  Location.     Meteorological  Conditions 

The  first  consideratinii  in  selecting  a  permanent  site  for  astroiKniiioal 
work  near  Cincinnati  is  to  take  adxantage  of  the  prexailing  winds.  Westerly 
winds — due  west,  sotithwest  and  northwest — accompany  nearly  all  of  our  clear 
weather,  blowing  the  smoke,  dust  and  fog  eastwardly.  Whenever,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  wind  blows  strongly  from  the  east  the  "seeing"  is  almost 
without  exception  poor.  So  that  such  times  are  ])ractically  worthless  for 
observation.  The  choice  of  location  thus  takes  us  un<iuestionably  to  the 
west  of  the  city — to  the  district  of  the  AX'estern  Hills  h'ogs  in  the  Ohio  River 
valley  would  prevent  the  choosing  of  a  tract  too  close  to  the  river.  A  site 
somewhat  north  of  west  will  thus  present  the  most  advantages  on  meteorologi- 
cal grounds. 

A  Protective  Zone. 

The  second  consideration  for  permanence  is  the  securing  of  a  large  area — 
100  acres  or  more — so  protected  Ijy  the  natural  features  of  the  location,  as 
to  a\iiiil  later  encroachment  1)}-  residences  and  made  streets,  which  with  their 
lights  aiul  dusl,  would  injure  the  astronomical  value  of  any  location.  This  is 
of  the  utmost  importance :  the  eye  at  the  telescope  must  often  be  shaded 
from  the  light  before  it  can  catch  the  faint  details  of  comet  or  nebula,  which 
it  is  to  measure.  So  also  the  photographic  plate,  so  sensitive  to  faint  star- 
light, mtist  be  shielded  fmni  all  rays  of  electric  and  incandescent  gas  lights. 
Detrimental  as  city  illumination  is  to  visual  work,  it  is  fatal  for  the  photograph 
researches.  A  protective  cone,  furnished  by  the  topography  of  the  locality 
and  the  large  size  of  the  tract,  is  absolutely  necessary.  Kntire  control  of  all 
lighting  within  this  zone  must  be  retained  by  the  society  Such  observatory 
reservation  commanding  a  broad  view  of  some  beautiftil  valley  will  become 
one  of  the  attractions  of  Hamilton  county.  In  these  times  of  rapid  transit 
and  auto  travel,  a  few  miles  out  of  town  will  not  mean  isolation,  but  will  in- 
volve less  than  an  hour's  trip  by  machine  or  traction  to  a  magnificent  \iew- 
point,  to  a  building  unique,  architectically  and  historically,  and  to  the  open 
and  hospitable  home  of  an  inspiring  science. 

Knowing  the  wonderful  recent  developments  in  our  knowledge  of  the 
stars,  thru  the  photographic,  spectroscopic  and  similar  methods,  every  one 
who  has  at  heart  our  local  scientific  advancement  will  gladly  and  effectively 
encourage  the  Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society  in  establishing  some  branches 
of  the  new  astronomy  in  this  vicinity.  The  formation  of  the  society,  the  inter- 
est in  its  regular  meetings,  and  its  successful  popular  lectures  would  all  have 
been  impossible  without  public  encouragement.  In  a  far  larger  way,  our 
plans  for  a  home  for  the  society,  the  choice  tract  of  the  ground  for  a  perma- 
nent site,  the  very  best  obser\ator_\-  possible  here,  adequate  instruments  of 
modern  type,  and  funds  by  wdiich  these  will  be  maintained  and  fully  utilized, 
deijend  upon  public  a])preciation  and  eftective  encouragement. 

The  beautiful  arches  and  walls  frdui  the  most  notable  piece  of  architecture 
our  city  has  e\-er  had,  now  await  re-erection,  after  a  period  of  temporary 
storage.  As  the  crown  and  masterpiece  of  Richardson's  Romanesf|tie  style 
in  .\merica,  they  deserve  permanent  preservation  in  this  tiseful  and  inspiring 
form.  We  are  confident  that  the  thousands  of  Chamber  of  Commerce  mem- 
bers and  merchants  who  sought  livlihood  and  gained  fortune  within  its  walls, 
the  many  prominent  business  men  who  made  their  club  home  beneath  its  roof, 
together  with  the  host  of  citizens  who  admired  and  loved  its  beautiful  arcades, 
its  rough  hewn  foundations  and  massive  towers,  and  whii  pointed  them  out 
with  just  pride  to  guest  and  stranger  alike — that  all  these  will  join  with  the 
Cincinnati  Astronomical  Society  in  re-erecting  the  arches  as  the  walls  of 
our  new  Astronomical  and  Astro-physical  Observatory. 

128 


vv 


^r" 


■•i/¥' 


V'JL^»' 


Socieiy  ^^   737. ^SCS* 


Date  Due 


biybb 


J  t..  X 


FEB" 


1357 


SlgsS" 


Ao^ 


DEC  2 


f^ 


JAN  4 


m 


.IWf 


Library  Bureau  Cat    No    1137 


W' 


